How Argentina could line out against Ireland
Marcelo Bosch
Age: 28 Caps: 17 Club: Biarritz
Height: 6ft 1ins Weight: 92kg/14st 7lbs
Versatile, always plays chin-up, head-swivelling rugby when in possession. Lacks the pace of Keith Earls but similar quick feet and a superior distributor.
Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe
Age: 31 Caps: 51 Club: Toulon
Height: 6ft 4ins Weight: 102kg/16st 1lbs
Leads by example in all aspects of forward play – particularly the breakdown, continuity and opposition lineouts . One of the world’s great modern players.
Julio Farias Cabello
Age: 34 Caps: 18 Club: Pampas XV
Height: 6ft 4 ins Weight: 109kg/17st 2lbs
Horse of a man, called in to fill the void left by injury to Patrico Albacete, he’s more blindside flanker than lock but will smash every green jersey for 60-odd minutes.
Juan Imhoff
Age: 24 Caps: 13 Club: Racing Metro 92
Height: 6ft 1ins Weight: 84kg/13st 2lbs
Lightning quick, natural finisher partially covers the absence of Horacio Agulla and Lucas Amorosino but Sexton should drop plenty of ball over his shoulder.
Juan Leguizamon
Age: 29 Caps: 45 Club: Lyon
Height: 6ft 3ins Weight: 104kg/15st 4lbs
Could well be the one who sparks the brawl. If allowed charge into space off second or third phase possession Ireland will be punished by his offloading game.
Juan Martin Hernandez
Age: 30 Caps: 38 Club: Racing Metro 92
Height: 6ft 1ins Weight: 94kg/14st 9lbs
Seemingly unlimited passing range and beautiful right boot, a maestro at outhalf, the back field allows him time to conjure his unique magic. Injury prone since 2007.
Maximiliano Bustos
Age: 26 Caps: 0 Club: Montpellier
Height: 6ft 1ins Weight: 130kg/20st 5lbs
Twisted Leinster’s Heinke van der Merwe into the dirt on several occasions during last November’s European game in Montpellier so Cian Healy is forewarned.
Eusebio Guinazu
Age: 30 Caps: 26 Club: Kings (South Africa)
Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 113kg/17st 11lbs
Mario Ledesma is to blame for this gun for hire being largely unknown internationally, but several storming displays during the Rugby Championship changed that.
Marcos Ayerza
Age: 29 Caps: 40 Club: Leicester
Height: 6ft 1 ins Weight: 110kg/17st 5lbs
Rodrigo Roncero’s remarkable 14-year Test career kept him benched for many big games but he’s long since established himself in the Premiership and H Cup.
Martin Landajo
Age: 24 Caps: 16 Club: Pampas XV
Height: 5ft 7ins Weight: 81kg/12st 11lbs
Not comparable with the great Agustin Pichot just yet but this snappy, clever halfback has plenty of pace, as proven by an electric try against the All Blacks.
Manuel Carizza
Age: 28 Caps: 31 Club: Racing Metro 92
Height: 6ft 7ins Weight: 118kg/18st 8lbs
Athletic, big hitter who proved his commitment to Los Pumas by sacrificing a contract extension with Biarritz to play in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
Santiago Fernandez
Age: 26 Caps: 24 Club: Montpellier
Height: 6ft Weight: 83kg/13st
Potential defensive weakness. Expected to provide an alternative play-making option, with his Sevens background making him a constant offloading threat.
Leonardo Senatore
Age: 28 Caps: 16 Club: Toulon
Height: 6ft 3 ins Weight: 106kg/16st 10lbs
Toulon only recruit world class foreigners. Powerful presence at number eight allows his flankers to focus on disruption and continuity.
With much of the 2007 old guard finally departed, the only experienced reserves are Montpellier hooker/flanker Agustin Creevy and former London Irish centre Gonzalo Tiesi.
Nicolas Sanchez
Age: 24 Caps: 7 Club: Bordeaux
Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 85kg/13st 5lbs
Creative off the toe and hand, will kick the goals and put players in space. A hybrid of Contepomi and Hernandez but relative inexperience makes him worth targeting.
Gonzalo Camacho
Age: 28 Caps: 19 Club: Exeter Chiefs
Height: 5ft 8ins Weight: 85kg/13st 5lbs
Late bloomer but typical pint-sized, aggressive Argentinian winger. Will provide stern test of Craig Gilroy’s positioning and defence.
