PUMAS WON’T BE ONE MAN AND HIS DOG
GREGOR TOWNSEND has warned his Scotland side to be ready for a hostile reception when they take on Argentina in Jujuy tomorrow night.
It will be the Pumas’ first game on home soil in almost three years and Townsend believes that will provide extra motivation to the players, as well as ramp up the atmosphere.
Speaking after yesterday’s team announcement, the head coach said: “It should be a big boost to them to be back playing for their country in their own country.
“They’re always a passionate international side – you see that in the way they sing the anthem and how they play.
“So I’m sure there will be an emotional response and that usually comes through the ball carries and the defence.
“It’s going to be a good test for us, to play away from home against a team that is highly motivated.
“It will be about how we adjust to that and impose our game on them.”
Scotland will face tomorrow’s challenge without one of their most experienced and combative forwards after Hamish Watson was ruled out through injury.
But Townsend has backed replacement Luke Crosbie to produce an aggressive performance which can help put the Scots on the front foot.
He said: “Hamish picked up a knock around the chest and shoulder area.
“The fear at first was that he might have to leave the tour but he has progressed well and he’ll re-integrate back into training this weekend.
“He’ll hopefully be available for next week.
“However, that creates an opportunity for Luke and we’ll be looking for more of what he brought in last week’s non-cap match against Chile. He led well from the front.”
Northampton Saints utility-back Rory Hutchinson has been handed the full-back slot which became available when Townsend decided to give star man Stuart Hogg the summer off.
Townsend said: “Rory has played really well throughout this season. He’s an experienced player and a quality attacker who has really improved his defence in the last year.”