Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has branded raids by rival Gallagher Premiership clubs on his international players as “parasitical behaviour” after Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo agreed to join Bristol Bears next season.
Almost every player will now return to their European clubs whilst Felipe Contepomi and his staff will take a well-deserved break after all the reports have been presented.
France was extremely efficient and scored from every opportunity they created to close the Autumn Nations Series with a win.
Starting Gonzalo Garcia at scrumhalf is a true statement of how Argentina plan to take on France, and shackle the best player in the world.
Argentina have made one change to their starting XV to the side that narrowly lost to Ireland on Friday for their encounter with France in their final match of their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
The subplot is thicker and more appealing. As much as it is Italy v Argentina, it will also be Gonzalo Quesada v Felipe Contepomi, former teammates, old neighbours in Las Lomas de San Isidro.
South Africa clinched the Rugby Championship in emphatic style with a bonus-point win over Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Argentina player ratings: The Los Pumas didn't show too much in their defeat to the Springboks in the Rugby Championship decider in South Africa.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes to the team that triumphed over South Africa last week for their rematch in the final round of The Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The Argentine pivot fits his team's style and structure far better than his illustrious All Blacks peer.