Contepomi makes a late return for Argentina

RUGBY: Argentina have recalled veteran centre Felipe Contepomi, who missed the inaugural Rugby Championship, to their side to…

RUGBY:Argentina have recalled veteran centre Felipe Contepomi, who missed the inaugural Rugby Championship, to their side to play Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

The 35-year-old former Leinster outhalf had not been named in coach Santiago Phelan's squad for the November internationals but will now play at inside centre alongside Gonzalo Tiesi, who will make his first appearance for Argentina since he was injured in the opening match against England at last year's World Cup.

Should Contepomi hold on to his place with the Pumas, he could face Ireland in the Aviva Stadium on November 24th for the first time in almost exactly two years, when Ireland won in Lansdowner Road 29-9, Contepomi kicking all of Argentina’s points.

Outhalf Juan Martin Hernandez reverts to his original position of fullback with his understudy Nicolas Sanchez taking over at number 10. Lock Patricio Albacete will miss the match after sustaining a fracture near his eye.

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Argentina:15-Juan Martin Hernandez, 14-Gonzalo Camacho, 13-Gonzalo Tiesi, 12-Felipe Contepomi, 11-Juan Imhoff, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin Landajo, 8-Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6-Leonardo Senatore, 5-Julio Farias Cabello, 4-Manuel Carizza, 3-Juan Figallo, 2-Eusebio Guinazu, 1-Marcos Ayerza. Replacements: 16-Agustin Creevy, 17-Bruno Postiglioni, 18-Juan Gomez, 19-Tomas Vallejos Cinalli, 20-Tomas Leonardi, 21-Nicolas Vergallo, 22-Horacio Agulla, 23-Joaquin Tuculet.