ARGENTINA v SCOTLAND: SCOTLAND HAVE endured a miserable year since returning from the World Cup basking in a glow of optimism, and defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires this evening would have profound consequences.
The seedings for the 2011 World Cup will be based on the world rankings at the end of the year. Unless Scotland win tonight they are likely to be in the band of third seeds, which could put them in a group with a major Southern Hemisphere nation and a top European side.
Scotland have won only one of their past seven Tests and they again failed to score a try in their six-point defeat by the Pumas in Rosario last week, Argentina's seventh consecutive victory in fixtures between the two countries. "It has been a poor season," said the Scotland back Chris Paterson, who will become his country's most capped player with 88. "The mood in Scottish rugby reflects the need for victories."
Scotland's head coach, Frank Hadden, returned from the World Cup with his employers anxious for him to sign a new contract but he is now under pressure, with a strong lobby pressing for the former England head coach Andy Robinson, one of the assistant coaches on the tour, to take over.
It is not just the dearth of victories that is counting against him but one of the bluntest attacks in world rugby: Scotland have failed to score a try in six of their last eight internationals.
The outhalf Dan Parks is dropped again, Phil Godman taking over. Hadden's lack of options at 10 has been a theme in his three years in charge and his preference for the prosaic Parks has sent Scottish fans into despair.
"We missed an opportunity last weekend," said Hadden. "That means we are under pressure to win this week. The key change (of six) from last week is at stand-off. Phil has been playing well for some time and deserves this opportunity. I am delighted with the way we have trained this week . . . The most important thing is that you get that (a win) and we take it any way we can get it."
Argentina have made two changes, both on the wings, and the match will see the final appearance of secondrow Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, who has decided to concentrate on club rugby after joining Northampton from Sale.
Guardian Service
ARGENTINA:15 B Stortoni; 14 L Borges, 13 G Tiesi, 12 F Contepomi (capt), 11 H Agulla; 10 F Todeschini, 9 N Vergallo; 1 M Ayerza, 2 A Tejeda, 3 SG Bonorino; 4 IF Lobbe, 5 E Lozada; 6 M Durand, 7 JMF Lobbe, 8 M Leguizamon.
SCOTLAND:15 H Southwell; 14 C Paterson, 13 B Cairns, 12 G Morrison, 11 S Webster; 10 P Godman, 9 M Blair; 1 A Jacobsen, 2 R Ford, 3 E Murray; 4 M Mustchin, 5 S MacLeod; 6 A Strokosch, 7 J Barclay, 8 A Hogg.
Referee:A Rolland (Ireland).
