France host Argentina at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday in one of rugby’s most colourful rivalries.
France v Argentina
6 November
22:00
Stade de France
To Win Match
France 1/12 | Draw 33/1 | Argentina 13/20
Handicap
France (-16.5) 9/10 | Argentina (+16.5) 9/10
The French may have the upper hand in the head-to-heads, winning 36 of the 51 Test matches played between the sides, but Los Pumas have certainly enjoyed their own fair share of classic victories since the two nations first locked horns in 1949.
Infamously, the great Argentina team of 2007 knocked over World Cup hosts France twice, once in the pool stages and then again in the third-place playoff to seal bronze and stun the home support.
There is no question, though, that the French have traditionally dominated this fixture, with Argentina having to wait until the 16th meeting between the nations for their first win. This they achieved in 1985 under the captaincy of legendary flyhalf Hugo Porta, winning 24-16 in Buenos Aires.
This weekend, the visitors will be hoping for another classic result as they seek to put an end to a six-match losing streak that saw them finish winless in this season’s Rugby Championship.
There are some positives for Mario Ledesma and his charges though. Skipper Julian Montoya has enjoyed a stellar season at hooker, winning the most turnovers (six) in the Rugby Championship earlier this year, and his form bodes well for a team that enjoys the physical stuff.
With clashes against Italy and Ireland still to come, the South Americans could really do with a positive start to their European tour here.
Antoine Dupont will captain Les Bleus this November in the absence of the injured Charles Ollivon, and he is expected to be partnered this week by Matthieu Jalibert at flyhalf, with a combination of Romain Ntamack and Gael Fickou in the midfield.
Coach Fabien Galthié will be continuing to build ahead of the 2023 World Cup following their 2-1 series loss in Australia in July. The upcoming November Tests give him another chance to test his depth before the Six Nations begins in February.
The last meeting between the sides was at the 2019 World Cup when France won a tightly contested pool fixture 23-21.
Verdict: Argentina 13/2
The odds on Los Pumas are too tempting here. Theirs is a squad full of quality players who will be hurting after their poor Rugby Championship run and who are more than capable of upsetting a French side that hasn’t played together since July. For those looking for a bit more security, back Argentina on the plus.
