Good news for Pumas as key players return for France Test

11/18/2024 08:02 AM

NEWS: Argentina has been bolstered by the return of wing Mateo Carreras and flank Marcos Kremer for their international against France in Paris on Friday.

Kremer hobbled off injured in the second half of Argentina's 29-28 home victory over South Africa in September and has missed the last three internationals with a knee injury.

Argentina Rugby confirmed that the 24-year-old Carreras, who sat out this month's matches against Italy and Ireland, is likely to regain the left wing position he held throughout this year's Rugby Championship in which Argentina finished runners-up to South Africa.

Argentina pushed Ireland hard in the Nations Series clash after the hosts made a superb start. Ireland had two tries within six minutes and a third before the break, before the Pumas bit back.

Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz kept the Pumas in touch with three successive penalty kicks from the boot and brought the match within three points before his opposite number Jack Crowley slotted in a fine drop goal.

Ireland didn't score a point in the second half and was made to dig deep as the Pumas scored a beautiful try from Juan Cruz Mallia. With the score at 22-19, Ireland held on over two minutes of added time before the result was theirs.