Cheika rings changes in Argentina debut against Scotland

Australian coach Michael Cheika recalled veteran hooker Agustin Creevy to his squad announced on Thursday for his first match in charge of Argentina at home to Scotland.

Creevy, who has not represented his country since the World Cup in Japan three years ago, starts on the bench, alongside prop Mayco Vivas, also making his return to the matchday squad for the first time since the Pumas' last home match in 2019.

Argentina host Scotland in San Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday before further tests in Salta and Santiago del Estero on the following weekends.

Cheika made seven changes to the team that lined up in his predecessor Mario Ledesma's last match in charge, when the Pumas slumped to a seven-try 53-7 thrashing by Ireland in Dublin last November.

Veteran fly-half Nicolas Sanchez returns to the starting line-up with Juan Cruz Mallia coming in at fullback, Santiago Cordero on the right-wing and Matias Orlando starting at outside centre.

There are also three changes in the pack, with Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro picked at loosehead, Matias Alemanno in the second row and Juan Martin Gonzalez at blindside.

In a positional change, Emiliano Boffelli switches from fullback to left-wing.

Having started at fly-half against Ireland, Santiago Carreras drops to the bench, although Cheika said the Gloucester back is pushing for a place at either No 10 or fullback.

"Mallia has had a good season with Toulouse and Carreras, you know what I think of him as a player, I'm a very big fan of his," said the 55-year-old former Wallabies coach.

"We are taking the time of letting him understand a little bit more about playing number 10 as well, because he will play as a backup in this game to Nico Sanchez."

Fresh from winning the European Cup with La Rochelle, prop