Argentina will be huge step up warns Gregor Townsend after Scotland endure second-half dip in Chile win

Scotland flew into Buenos Aires on Sunday braced for what is likely to be a gruelling three-Test series against an Argentina team under the wily leadership of former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

Gregor Townsend’s side warmed up with a 45-5 win over Chile in an A international in Santiago but he knows the Pumas represent a huge step up in quality.

For that reason, the Scotland coach was pleased that his side were forced to endure a sticky period in the second half on Saturday when the Chileans had the tourists on the back foot.

Having dominated the first hour, the Scots had to defend on their line and eventually conceded a try to home flanker Santiago Edwards.

Scotland were already five tries to the good by this point and they finished with a flourish, adding two late scores through Rufus McLean and Ali Price, but the spell under the pump was instructive for Townsend.

“It was a tough workout,” said the coach. “We had to fight in the second half to keep Chile out and they eventually did score a try but there are parts of our game we know we have to work on more next week but there were positives, like the way we played in the first half with some young players integrated into the team and we took our opportunities and that was great to see. Also a strong finish, and that was pleasing.”

It took Scotland 11 minutes to make the breakthrough, Damien Hoyland finishing off a straightforward backs move. The winger, making his return to international rugby after five years, would go on to claim a hat-trick and scrum-half George Horne weighed in with a double as the visitors moved 33-0 ahead early in the second half. But Chile managed to wrestle back control and while that is likely to be a concern for Townsend, the coach