Scotland will begin their Nations Championship campaign against Argentina without key fly-half Finn Russell, who is still regaining full fitness. However, head coach Gregor Townsend indicated that Russell is expected to be available for Scotland's next match against South Africa.
The Scottish team is in Cordoba to face Argentina, known as Los Pumas, at the Estadio Mario Kempes. This opening fixture of the tournament presents a significant challenge, particularly against a home crowd estimated at around 50,000. Argentina secured a 33-24 victory when these two teams last met at Murrayfield in November, a match where Scotland lost a 21-point lead.
Townsend has selected a strong squad for the match, with Tom Jordan set to deputize at fly-half in Russell's absence. Sione Tuipulotu will captain the side from midfield. Russell missed the conclusion of Bath's domestic season, and his fitness for the Scotland match has not been sufficiently proven.
"We didn't consider him for selection," Townsend explained regarding Russell. "He trained fully on Wednesday, so we feel he'll be available for selection next week. But we'll just see how that goes over the next few days. We obviously have to make decisions at the beginning of the week."
Townsend added that Russell participated fully in training on Wednesday, marking a positive step toward his availability. "Finn took his full part in training on Wednesday, so that was a positive step in terms of where we see next week. We just need to see how he progresses. He obviously wasn't available for those late-season games with Bath, but there have been positive steps."
Regarding the depth of talent at fly-half, Townsend expressed confidence. Tom Jordan, who finished the season strongly with Bristol, has experience playing at fly-half for his club and has also covered at inside center and fullback for Scotland. "We're blessed with the 10s that we have on this tour. Tom's played all season really at 10 for Bristol. He's also played 12 for us and 15 as well. He's a Test match animal."
Fergus Burke, named on the bench, has been recognized for his form for Saracens. "Fergus Burke on the bench has probably been the form 10 in England over the last two months of the season. He's in great physical shape and he's full of confidence, so we expect him to play a part at the weekend as well."
Townsend emphasized the importance of the fly-half position and the team's depth. "I feel it is such an important position. To win a game of rugby, the 10 is still the most important position in my opinion. It is great that we have depth beyond the next World Cup."
Following the match against Argentina, Scotland will travel to Pretoria to face South Africa before concluding their summer tour against Fiji in Edinburgh. The second set of Nations Championship fixtures will take place in the autumn, with Scotland scheduled to host New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
Townsend acknowledged the difficulty of the previous loss to Argentina. "What happened in the game back in November was painful and we have addressed that. This is a new challenge and one we feel ready for."
The Scotland team for the match against Argentina is: Rowe, Steyn, Hutchinson, Tuipulotu (captain), Dobie, Jordan, White; Schoeman, Ashman, Millar-Mills, J Gray, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey. Replacements include Hiddleston, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Samuel, Brown, Horne, Burke, and Graham.