Italy
Argentina
Italy host Argentina in Genoa on Saturday 14 November as both sides look for a response to heavy Round 4 defeats. With Paolo Garbisi directing the hosts and Pablo Matera leading the Pumas, the midfield contest could decide who earns the right to attack.
Kick-off is 11:40 GMT (12:40 local) at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Italy are seeking their first Nations Championship victory, while Argentina have one win from four matches. Last weekend brought a 66–7 defeat by South Africa for Italy and a 42–12 loss to Ireland for Argentina. The immediate challenge is to turn a difficult week into a composed performance.
Photo: Stephen Varney passes against South Africa in Turin on 7 November. Simone Arveda – Nations Championship/Nations Championship via Getty Images.
Italy’s selection: experience around the ball
Gonzalo Quesada has made five changes to his starting XV. Tommaso Allan returns at full-back, Stephen Varney partners Paolo Garbisi at half-back, and Danilo Fischetti, Manuel Zuliani and Ross Vintcent come into the pack. Giacomo Nicotera captains the side. Paolo Odogwu and Leonardo Marin continue in midfield, with Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane on the wings.
The selection gives Italy several ways to move the point of attack, but those options need a reliable supply of possession. Garbisi should not have to solve every problem from behind a retreating pack. Secure lineout ball and an organised chase can put the hosts in positions where the next pass is a choice rather than an escape.
Argentina’s route: pressure before width
Matera takes the captaincy, with Tomás Albornoz at fly-half and Bautista Bernasconi starting at hooker. Santiago Chocobares and Justo Piccardo form the midfield partnership. Mateo Carreras, Rodrigo Isgró and Bautista Delguy provide the outside options.
Argentina should look to make Italy’s defenders turn and reconnect. A direct carry only becomes useful if the next possession arrives before the defence is comfortable. Support at the tackle, an accurate second pass and the patience to kick when the space closes will matter more than simply trying to overpower the first defender.
The deciding contest
Italy’s midfield needs manageable situations. If the hosts lose the territorial exchanges and have to defend successive quick phases, the distance between the inside and outside defenders becomes harder to control. If they can force Argentina to build from deep, their own outside backs have a better chance of receiving useful possession after an error or a loose return.
The same discipline is required in attack. Capuozzo and Ioane offer a reason to move the ball, but feeding them against a settled defence and expecting an individual escape is a poor foundation. Italy need to narrow the defence first, preserve the next ruck and recognise when to play back towards the forwards.
Both benches contain resources to change the contest. Marco Riccioni is among Italy’s replacements, while Argentina can call on Juan Martín González and Facundo Isa. The final quarter will reward the side whose support and defensive spacing survive those changes.
ATR verdict
Argentina to win. Their midfield and carrying options give them the edge, but Italy can keep this close if their set piece holds and their exits prevent repeated defensive pressure. The Pumas need to earn the space; last weekend’s scorelines will not create it for them.