American Marconi Wireless News - Contepomi says lead-in to Wales match a 'challenge' for Argentina

Contepomi named a matchday 23 that has more than 900 caps between them following a Rugby Championship where Argentina again made their presence felt.

Although the Pumas finished bottom of the Southern-Hemisphere competition, they recorded impressive wins over Australia and New Zealand and only lost by two points to eventual champions South Africa in the final game at Twickenham last month

"It has been a challenge because many of our guys came through the Rugby Championship, went straight into club rugby, had a camp with us, went back to their clubs and now play this weekend," Contepomi said ahead of this weekend's clash at the Principality Stadium.

"But we won't use that as an excuse. We had some injuries but we are happy with the whole group that we have here.

"I would be very confident with playing any of the 32 that are training with us."

Former Leicester hooker Julian Montoya is set to win his 115th cap and leads a powerful pack, in which flanker Pablo Matera will make his 119th appearance.

Argentina will be favourites to beat a Wales side that only ended a record run of 18 successive Test defeats with victory over Japan in Kobe in July.

Contepomi expects Wales to be competitive in coach Steve Tandy's first match in charge of the national side.

"They have a very good coaching ticket with Steve Tandy, Danny Wilson, Matt Sherratt, plus Dan Lydiate and Duncan Jones, so I expect them to be a very knowledgeable team," said the former Pumas playmaker.

"We admire Wales' passion and how they never give up. They live and breathe rugby, so we are expecting a highly motivated team in one of the best stadiums in the world.

"We are expecting a very, very tough encounter because Wales are highly motivated to start a new era well and they are a team with quality throughout their 23."

Th.Berger--AMWN