Pumas Confirm Starting Lineup for Season Opener Against Scotland in Córdoba

The Argentine national rugby team, Los Pumas, has finalized its starting lineup for the season's first match against Scotland, to be held in Córdoba. The team features a strong representation from the host province, with seven of the 23 players hailing from Córdoba.

Coach Felipe Contepomi announced the squad that will take the field at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium on Saturday. The match is expected to draw a large crowd, with general admission tickets already sold out.

Among the nine players from Córdoba selected, four will start, including key players Matías Alemanno and Faustino Sánchez Valarolo. Santiago Carreras is set to play fullback, and Joaquín Oviedo will start at number eight. Several other Córdoba-based players will be on the bench.

A significant milestone will be reached by Matías Alemanno, a second-rower from La Tablada club. He is poised to become the fifth Argentine player to achieve 100 caps for Los Pumas, joining an elite group that includes Pablo Matera, Julián Montoya, Agustín Creevy, and Nicolás Sánchez.

Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, a standout player for Dogos XV in Super Rugby Americas and a product of Palermo Bajo, will also have a key role. With Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo unavailable until next week, Contepomi has placed his trust in the 22-year-old Sánchez Valarolo, who debuted for Los Pumas last year against Uruguay.