Contepomi to lead Pumas for Irish clash

LEINSTER fly-half Felipe Contepomi will captain Argentina in the first test against Ireland in Santa Fe on Saturday.

Coach Marcelo Loffreda named Contepomi as skipper in place of the absent Agustin Pichot, who has club commitments with Stade Francais, when he announced his team yesterday for the first of two tests.

Around half the team are British-based, including Saracens wing Tomas de Vedia, who makes his Pumas debut. CASI lock James Stuart also makes his first start for the national side.