TOKYO, 26 Sep – Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has made four changes to his starting line-up for the Pool C match against Tonga at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Saturday, 28 September.

Fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta, winger Santiago Carreras, hooker Julian Montoya and number eight Tomas Lezana come into the team, with Nicolas Sanchez, Agustin Creevy and Javier Ortega Desio moving to the bench.

Ramiro Moyano, who started on the wing in Argentina's opening 23-21 defeat by France, drops out of the match-day 23 altogether. Also out of the 23 is Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who will have to wait at least another week to equal Felipe Contepomi's Pumas record of 87.

Urdapilleta, who did not play for the Pumas at all between 2013 and 2019, will make his first test start since June 2013 in his 13th international appearance. 

Carreras will be making his first test start after winning two caps as a replacement.

Lezana, who will win his 35th cap on Saturday, expects a physical battle with the Tongans, who impressed against England despite losing their opening match 35-3.

"It will be a crunch, without a question. Tonga is a very physical team and I think we should keep to our set-pieces and redouble our efforts on defence as well as the contact area, since the game will no doubt veer in that direction," said the number eight.

ARGENTINA

1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
2. Julian Montoya
3. Juan Figallo
4. Guido Petti
5. Tomas Lavanini
6. Pablo Matera (capt.)
7. Marcos Kremer
8. Tomas Lezana
9. Tomas Cubelli
10. Benjamin Urdapilleta
11. Santiago Carreras
12. Jeronimo De La Fuente
13. Matias Orlando
14. Matías Moroni
15. Emiliano Boffelli

16. Agustín Creevy
17. Mayco Vivas
18. Santiago Medrano
19. Matias Alemanno
20. Javier Ortega Desio
21. Felipe Ezcurra
22. Nicolas Sanchez
23. Bautista Delguy

RNS rl