By Peter Ryan – @PeterRyanSports
Italy will kick off the autumn campaign as they welcome Argentina to Rome.
The Italians will be looking to build on a strong Six Nations campaign, which kick-started a revolution in Italian rugby.
It’ll be interesting to see how the team fares in their upcoming autumn contest, and it is safe to say Argentina is a great first test.
The Pumas are coming off a solid Rugby Championship campaign and will look to establish themselves as one of the stronger sides in world rugby, with hopes of securing wins over top European competition.
Both teams will aim to put on a fantastic display, with some exciting betting options to accompany the game.
Italy
Italy have looked like a solid outfit over the past year, marking a turning point in their development as they are no longer an easy outing for the opposition.
The Six Nations was a prime example, with nearly all of their games proving competitive. They secured notable victories against Scotland and Wales and even drew with France away from home.
Over the last five fixtures, Italy have scored an average of 25 points per game but have also conceded 20 points.
Several key players have been integral to the nation’s success over the past year. One standout is Juan Ignacio Brex, a phenomenal talent at outside centre who causes real problems for the opposition.
Tommaso Menoncello is another player who has stepped up for Italy and is an exciting young talent.
In the pack, blindside flanker Sebastian Negri is a fierce competitor who makes an impact whenever he takes the field.
The Italian back three—Ange Capuozzo, Louis Lynagh, and Monty Ioane—are electrifying talents who could light up the encounter whenever they touch the ball. Italy have the talent to produce a strong result against Argentina; the key will be maintaining consistency and using the crowd to their advantage.
Los Pumas
Argentina have quietly become a formidable force in world rugby, with their progress over recent years being remarkable.
There will likely be high confidence in the Argentine camp following their run to the semi-final of the 2023 World Cup and a solid Rugby Championship campaign.
They opened the Championship with a significant win in New Zealand and then went on to beat Australia and South Africa at least once.
The squad boasts several outstanding players competing in top-level club rugby.
Captain Julián Montoya brings a wealth of experience, along with a toughness and grit that often helps teams get over the line.
In the backline, full-back Juan Cruz Mallía will look to trouble the Italians. The Argentine squad has a strong blend of youth and experience, making them a difficult team to beat.
They will approach the autumn campaign with the ambition of achieving notable results and climbing the world rankings, with confidence at an all-time high after impressive recent performances.
The Bets
There are some intriguing betting options for this game. The best bet is Argentina to win by more than four points.
The team appears strong, and if they perform at their best, they should secure the victory. Although there are a few absences in the squad, Argentina have considerable depth and should win by a small margin.
However, with Italy playing at home, they represent excellent value for a win, boasting plenty of talent and a strong desire to start their autumn series on a high note.
For those favouring a longer shot, Argentina to win by more than 10 points is a viable option; if Italy aren’t at their best, Argentina could pull away with a convincing victory.
Best Bet: Argentina to win by more than four points – 10/11
Value Bet: Italy to win – 7/5
Longshot Bet: Argentina to win by more than 10 points – 21/10
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