Scotland vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby result and reaction as Darcy Graham gets hat-trick in feisty Scottish win

Scotland are taking on Argentina at Murrayfield as Gregor Townsend’s men look to bounce back from agonising defeat by the All Blacks with a victory over the Pumas this afternoon.

The Scots came agonisingly close to a first-ever win over New Zealand, only to see the game slip away at the death as they fell to a 31-23 defeat in Edinburgh. It came after a similarly frustrating 16-15 loss to Australia, albeit with a win over Fiji in between the two results.

Argentina edged a thrilling three-match series between these two countries in South America earlier this year as Michael Cheika’s men clinched the decided in Santiago del Estero 34-31, but the Scots will fancy their chances of making amends here on home turf.

Relive the action from the rugby autumn international between Scotland and Argentina below:

Scotland vs Argentina

• FULL-TIME! Scotland 52-29 Argentina

• Darcy Graham notches hat-trick in feisty Scottish win that included six cards and 12 tries

• 80+7 ‘- TRY! Ruiz gets late consolation (SCO 52-29 ARG)

• 77’ - TRY! Graham completes hat-trick (SCO 52-22 ARG)

• 74’ - TRY! Hogg adds to his tally with simple run-in (SCO 45-22 ARG)

• 69’ - TRY! Redpath notches his first Scotland try (SCO 38-22 ARG)

• 56’ - TRY! Tuipulotu over for his second try (SCO 31-22 ARG)

• 52’ - TRY! Boffelli dots down breakaway try despite Pumas being down to 12 men (SCO 24-22 ARG)

• 42’ - TRY! Graham gets second try after moment of Russell brilliance (SCO 24-15 ARG)

• 39’ - TRY! Alemanno scores first Pumas try for five years (SCO 19-15 ARG)

• 28’ - TRY! Powerful finish by Graham out wide (SCO 19-8 ARG)

• 24’ - TRY! Van der Merwe finishes after Russell offload (SCO 14-8 ARG)

• 22’ - RED CARD! Kremer sent off for dangerous clearout on Ritchie (SCO 7-8 ARG)

• 16’ - TRY! De la Fuente goes over in the corner (SCO 7-8 ARG)

• 12’ - TRY! Tuipulotu with superb finish (SCO 7-3 ARG)

Team News - New Zealand

17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Having played around a little with his selection for the Scotland game last week, Ian Foster names a full-strength side for the final All Blacks game of the year. Brodie Retallick is back available after suspension and is straight back into the starting side. Retallick wins his 100^th cap in the second row alongside captain Sam Whitelock, the pair locking in partnership for the 64^th time, surpassing Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield’s record tally. Scott Barrett moves to blindside flanker.

Richie Mo’unga returns to partner Aaron Smith in the halves, while Jordie Barrett is back in the inside centre shirt he is starting to make his own – Barrett and Rieko Ioane’s battle with Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi could be key. Mark Telea, a two-try debutant last week, remains on the right wing

New Zealand XV: E de Groot, C Taylor, T Lomax; B Retallick, S Whitelock (capt.), S Barrett, D Papali’i, A Savea; A Smith, R Mo’unga; C Clarke, J Barrett, R Ioane, M Telea; B Barrett.

Replacements: S Taukei’aho, G Bower, N Laulala, S Frizell, H Sotutu; TJ Perenara, D Havili, A Lienert-Brown

Team News - England

17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Owen Farrell becomes just England’s third male centurion, captaining the side from inside centre and reunited with Manu Tuilagi, who steps into the starting line-up after a 20-minute “top-up” off the bench against Japan. Jack Nowell was a late scratch last week but his abdominal injury has healed, while Jack van Poortvliet retains his place ahead of Ben Youngs at scrum-half.

Up front, the balance of the back row catches the eye – Eddie Jones has suggested that his preference for a third proficient lineout jumper may be less critical this week, perhaps recalling how Tom Curry and Sam Underhill so dismantled New Zealand in Yokohama in 2019. Sam Simmonds thus starts on the flank for the first time at international level, with Maro Itoje one row further forward than he has been the last two weeks.Will Stuart is fit to make a return on the bench.

England XV: E Genge, L Cowan-Dickie, K Sinckler; M Itoje, J Hill; S Simmonds, T Curry, B Vunipola; J van Poortvliet, M Smith; J May, O Farrell (capt.), M Tuilagi, J Nowell; F Steward.

Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, W Stuart, D Ribbans, J Willis; B Youngs, H Slade, G Porter

Full time! Scotland 52-29 Argentina

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fine send-off for Scotland as they conclude their 2022, the Murrayfield crowd enthralled by a day of delightful dancing from their side. Finn Russell starred, with Sione Tuipulotu and Darcy Graham joining in on the frolics and fun, and that’s a great way to close the year for Gregor Townsend’s side.

Right - swiftly onwards. Action is fast approaching at Twickenham, with the All Blacks visiting for the first time in four years.

FULL TIME! SCOTLAND 52-29 ARGENTINA

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TRY! Scotland 52-29 ARGENTINA (Ignacio Ruiz try, 87 minutes)

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina finish with a flourish!

It matters not beyond the final accounting, but after a sustained spell of phases on the Scottish line, Ignacio Ruiz manages to force through. The conversion adds two more points to the tally - and that’s all she wrote.

Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 85 minutes

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina are initially repelled, pushed back and forced outside of the Scottish 22. Juan Cruz Mallia bounces away ffrom Blair Kinghorn’s shoulder.

Murphy Walker gets over the ball...penalty to Argentina! Walker looked in strong position there but Karl Dickson wasn’t happy. One more go for Argentina.

YELLOW CARD! Sione Tuipulotu is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 83 minutes

17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tuipulotu’s tackle tilts Mallia beyond the horizontal - it’s another yellow.

Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 82 minutes

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland are wise to the replacement number eight’s threat, and the danger of his burly mates, tooo, forcing Argentina to play wide.

Oof! Juan Cruz Mallia is deposited on his back by Sione Tuipulotu and remains down. Karl Dickson brings proceedings to a halt with his whistle and wanders over for a look at the footage.

Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 80 minutes

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Time enough for a final Argentina score? Maybe, as Emiliano Boffelli shimmies up the left.

The forwards can’t make much headway but there’s a penalty for Los Pumas. Facundo Isa taps and goes.

Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 79 minutes

17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland are having a bit of an end-of-term party now, flinging the ball about with glee. Stuart Hogg jives between a couple of defenders before Ben White hurls a low pass. Argentina’s ball with a minute left.

TRY! SCOTLAND 52-22 Argentina (Darcy Graham try, 78 minutes)

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland hit fifty!

A superbly executed strike move from Scotland. Finn Russell takes a pull-back pass, shifting on to Blair Kinghorn, who has the extra horsepower to really stretch the Argentine defence. Kinghorn gets to the outside in the 13 channel, forcing the wing to step in and allowing Graham enough room to slide into the corner.

Scotland 45-22 Argentina, 76 minutes

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina win a crossing penalty after the restart, but make a hash of the lineout, Jonny Gray playing spoilsport as the visitors eye a last hurrah.

Los Pumas are then pinged at a ruck wide on the left, and some words of complaint sees them marched back a further ten metres.

TRY! SCOTLAND 45-22 Argentina (Stuart Hogg try, 74 minutes)

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another pinpoint assist from Finn Russell!

All too easy for Scotland with Argentina really starting to fatigue. The maul constricts their defence, the end-man on the line holds slightly too wide and Russell fizzes a delectable pass for Stuart Hogg to catch and leap for the line.

Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 73 minutes

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina are restored to 14 and Scotland 15 as the hosts prepare for a five-metre lineout.

Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 72 minutes

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland fancy a couple more scores to close their 2022. Finn Russell chips ahead, but there’s nothing doing as Argentina hurry around to cover.

Back for a penalty for a tackler failing to roll away.

Scotland 38-22 Argentina, 70 minutes

16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That is Argentina’s hopes of victory extinguished, you’d say, but this has been a good effort since Marcos Kremer’s early sending off. Both Jamie Ritchie and Thomas Gallo remain off for the next couple of minutes.

TRY! SCOTLAND 38-22 Argentina (Cameron Redpath try, 69 minutes)

16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another delicate assist from Finn Russell and Cameron Redpath has his first try for Scotland!

This really has been a masterclass of creative attacking play. An ailing Argentine defence are short in the backfield and slow off the line, granting Russell the time and space he needs to find a patch of green, gaping grass. His gruber is perfectly weighted, hopping up like an excited puppy into the onrushing Redpath’s arms.

Russell converts, too.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 67 minutes

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina win a penalty but can’t find touch. Sione Tuipulotu takes advantage of some open acreage on the right and Scotland return to the Argentine 22.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 66 minutes

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finn Russell thumps a low kick up the right, the ball trickling out of play five out from the Argentina line.

Pierre Schoeman is replaced by Jamie Bhatti.

Argentina throw the lineout accurately and clear - but Darcy Graham is in no mood to dally, tossing a quick lineout with Bhatti soon into his carrying work.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 65 minutes

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina hold firm again! Zander Fagerson’s squattier frame follows Redpath’s lead in crossing the line, but there is an Argentine body beneath him.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 64 minutes

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Held up! So close for Cameron Redpath, driving close with a bish and bash but not quite delivering the requisite bosh to force the ball to floor. Scotland take a scrum option from a penalty.

YELLOW CARDS! Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 62 minutes

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yep, a card each way - Jamie Ritchie is shown yellow, and Thomas Gallo receives the same punishment.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 62 minutes

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland’s drive is much stronger this time, earning a penalty, and then Darcy Graham is dragged out on the right.

Hang on - another big to do, and there might be more cards coming here.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 61 minutes

16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nicolas Sanchez is joined in making his entry by Matias Moroni; Santiago Carreras and Juan Cruz Mallia depart.

Argentina look to have ogt a nudge on at the scrum, but referee Karl Dickson calls for a reset.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 61 minutes

16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina make a meal of collecting Stuart Hogg’s kick back to them, and Scotland will have a scrum about seven metres out from the opposition line.

Handbags! Something has riled both sets of forwards, with Sione Tuipulotu also adding his input. Duhan van der Merwe is one of the few wings in the world who can look Lucas Paulos in the eye - the replacement Argentina lock stares back angrily.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 60 minutes

16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Also readying himself for an Argentina return is Nicolas Sanchez, who has been out since the start of the Rugby Championship with a calf strain.

Ah - the visitors could have done with the veteran’s accurate boot, with their penalty failing to find touch.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 59 minutes

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina win a penalty as a prone Scottish player makes a tackle on the floor. Matias Alemanno rejoins proceedings, and Tomas Lavanini is strapping his scrum cap on, too.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 58 minutes

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland try another of those front-of-the-lineout moves, but Jamie Ritchie is bustled into touch.

Fraser Brown’s day is done - George Rurner replaces him. On, too, are a couple of London-based Scots - Andy Christie in the back row and Ben White at scrum-half.

Scotland 31-22 Argentina, 58 minutes

16:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The camera pans to a rather crowded Argentina naughty step, with time left to run still on both Tomas Lavanini and Matias Alemanno’s yellow cards.

What more damage can Scotland do against Argentina’s 12 men? Finn Russell misses touch from a punted penalty, but it matters not as Santiago Carreras’ return drifts out on the full.

TRY! SCOTLAND 29-22 Argentina (Sione Tuipulotu try, 56 minutes)

16:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And they do!

Good from Scotland, resetting immediately after that bolt from the blue from Argentina. A strong midfield carry creates a black hole into which the Argentina defence is sucked, creating room on the right for Sione Tuipulotu, who goes over.

Finn Russell converts.

Scotland 24-22 Argentina, 54 minutes

16:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That was all over-eager from Scotland. The spaces will surely present themselves if they are patient.

TRY! Scotland 24-22 ARGENTINA (Emiliano Boffelli try, 52 minutes)

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A breakaway Argentina score out of nowhere!

My oh my. Scotland get too loose and frisky, enjoying the open spaces afforded them against Argentina’s 12 men. Jack Dempsey holds the ball above his head as he takes contact, seeking an offload to waiting teammates on the right.

But Dempsey loses grasp of the ball, and Juan Cruz Mallia is alive to it. The full-back picks up, darts free, and Boffelli is alongside him in short order to continue his prolific individual year with a canter beneath the posts. Two more points from his right boot draw Argentina even nearer.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 51 minutes

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Outstanding defence from Argentina! Scotland, surprisngly, opt to extract the ball from a scrum as it rumbles on, but Finn Russell is caught behind the gain line and the ball spills away.

YELLOW CARD! Tomas Lavanini is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 50 minutes

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another card! Karl Dickson reaches into the shuffler and pulls out another yellow, gestured to Tomas Lavanini, historically a regular offender.

This one is a technical offence, Lavanini a speedbump bringing down a runaway tanker of a Scottish maul. Argentina lose a second lock in as many minutes.

YELLOW CARD! Matias Alemanno is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes

16:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yellow this time! Jonny Gray immediately looked to the referee, feeling Alemanno’s clavicle making contact with his forehead as the Scottish lock began to vacate the ruck area. The force isn’t necessarily high, which saves Alemanno stiffer punishment - but Los Pumas drop to 13 men.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes

16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s another of Argentina’s large forward units who may be in trouble - Matias Alemanno’s shoulder is quite close to a Scottish head.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 49 minutes

16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Scotland’s lineout hasn’t been quite so good of late, Juan Martin Gonzalez springing up like a geyser to slap back Fraser Brown’s latest throw.

Check, check - TMO Brett Cronan has spotted something that requires a look. Referee Karl Dickson saunters over to the big screen.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 47 minutes

16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finn Russell’s numbers today are quite delightful - nine carries, 77 metres, six (!) offloads. It’s been mighty good so far from a man who allegedly began this autumn campaign as his country’s fourth-choice fly-half...

Scotland earn a scrum penalty. Argentina, remember, are down to 14 after Marcos Kremer’s first-half sending off.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 45 minutes

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentine hands pinch a Scottish lineout, giving the visitors possession in advanced territory again. Emiliano Boffelli further advances his side with an impressive high claim that hops from left hand to right and back to left before eventually ending up in his breadbasket, but Tomas Lavanini’s handling is less pleasing. Knock on.

Scotland 24-15 Argentina, 44 minutes

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s almost lovely from Argentina! Los Pumas earn a lineout near the Scottish 22, and try something fun at the front, Julian Montoya connecting with the lineout catcher in a manner than Fraser Brown failed to do so when Scotland looked for something similar early in the first half.

There are enough Scottish bodies back to fell Montoya and force him to knock on, but it is a reminder of Argentina’s threat.

TRY! SCOTLAND 24-15 Argentina (Darcy Graham try, 42 minutes)

16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brilliant Scottish try!

How good has Finn Russell been today? It’s magnificent again from the fly-half, needing only a sliver to again scurry free and release a side-door flicked offload for a third or fourth time this afternoon.

Stuart Hogg is there to take it from his great mate, cannily angling back infield to force the last defender to square up, opening enough room on the outside for Darcy Graham to frolic over.

Scotland 19-15 Argentina, 41 minutes

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sione Tuipulotu reacts well to take a box kick that doesn’t quite drift far enough for the waiting Scottish catchers in the backfield to claim.

The second half is underway!

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Finn Russell gets things restarted.

Scotland 19-15 Argentina

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The two sets of players trot back out there. “It was a good first half for us,” says Scottish squad member Ross Thompson to Amazon Prime. “They are definitely not out of it. We’ve still got to make sure we are clinical.”

H/T: SCOTLAND 19-15 ARGENTINA

16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That Matias Alemanno score means it is a rather more even half-time picture than it looked likely to be when Scotland surged ahead after Marcos Kremer’s sending off. The hosts have produced some fine attacking play, with Finn Russell and Darcy Graham particularly impressive, and will be strong favourites to swell their lead if a 14-man Argentina begin to tire.

But this a gritty, tough Argentine side, and they showed a lot of character at the end of that half. Far from done, this.

HALF TIME! SCOTLAND 19-15 ARGENTINA

15:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

TRY! Scotland 19-15 ARGENTINA (Matias Alemanno try, 39 minutes)

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A first international try in more than five years for Matias Alemanno!

Argentina don’t bother with the lineout, Pablo Matera taking on the challenge head on with a tap and carry. In pile the rest of the heavy hauliers in support, Scotland struggling to combat their might. Alemanno tucks the ball under his armpit and bashes over.

Emiliano Boffelli converts.

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 37 minutes

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina need a try before half-time, you feel. Karl Dickson’s whistle halts them as they punch around the corner on the five-metre - there has been a knock-on, but not before a no-arms tackle from Scotland.

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 35 minutes

15:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina hammer against another firmly constructed Scottish defensive wall, but Jonny Gray is penalised for affecting the speed of the ball as his thigh locks inadvertendly around the ball at a ruck. To the right corner, this time.

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 35 minutes

15:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland just about stall the maul. Argentina keep things tight, both props carrying. A through-kick is the option, again - Santiago Carreras’s poke uses the full depth of the Murrayfield in-goal but a Scottish hand grounds it.

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 34 minutes

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s more pleasing for Argentina, bringing down Graham after another menacing weave, and earning a holding o penalty. Into the corner...

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 32 minutes

15:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ooh so close to an astonishing, 95-metre score!

Scotland fancy this. Stuart Hogg plays from deep isnide his own 22, drawing two and lasering a pass to Darcy Graham, who had retreated to support his full-back.

Graham evades three defenders and offloads, and there are bodies sprinting through as Chris Harris tries to collect...but the centre can’t hang on!

Scotland 19-8 Argentina, 31 minutes

15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Michael Cheika does not look particularly happy - Argentina’s discipline has been much improved under the Australian but that was a very, very loose moment from Marcos Kremer.

Argentina win a free kick at the scrum.

TRY! SCOTLAND 19-8 Argentina (Darcy Graham try, 28 minutes)

15:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland are fizzing!

Finn Russell is producing a scintillating opening half-hour, hands on the ball all the time and Argentina struggling to get to grips with him. This time he makes a clean break, Scottish support rushing through to resource the ruck.

It should be a straightforward, certain score on the right, but Chris Harris fancies a trip meat merchant, threatening to butcher it by hanging on with two unmarked men outside him. Fortunately for the centre, Scotland regenerate possession and Darcy Graham knifes over.

Russell’s conversion is away, but Murrayfield is rather enjoying this.

Scotland 14-8 Argentina, 26 minutes

15:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off they go again! Russell and Van der Merwe combine once more, fly-half to wing with the chipped cross-kick. Van der Merwe meanders hither and thither before creating his own hole, delivering his particular brand of powerful punishment.

TRY! SCOTLAND 14-8 Argentina (Duhan van der Merwe try, 25 minutes)

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Finn Russell is the magician to find them!

Scotland generate some momentum, allowing Russell time and space to cast his spells. Juan Martin Gonzalez buys the dummy, shooting up for a half-second to open a gap through which Russell bursts again.

Another delicate offload allows the fly-half to connect with Duhan van der Merwe, who completes the circus score with a juggle.

Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 23 minutes

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Advantage Scotland, then, as they launch another assault from just outside the Argentine 22. There will surely be spaces...

RED CARD! Marcos Kremer is sent off! Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 22 minutes

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yes, this isn’t good from Kremer. There is a swinging arm making direct contact to the head of Jamie Ritchie, and there is little in the way of mitigation in terms of late movement.

RED CARD! Karl Dickson is certain, and rightly so - Kremer seemed to know he had done wrong as he tumbled away from the breakdown, and Argentina will play the remainder shorn of their flanker.

Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 22 minutes

15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nearly outstanding from Argentina! They earn a penalty advantage at the scrum and then set to work on the right, another smart use of the boot to prod into space beyond the front defensive line.

Juan Cruz Mallia collects and manages to get his pass inside, but the next kick onwards is smothered by the Scottish backfield, ending the chance.

Hang on - the TMO wants to check a clearout from Marcos Kremer, which on first view didn’t look particularly aesthetically pleasing...

Scotland took an early lead through this Sione Tuipulotu try

15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sharp from Finn Russell to set up the centre, who finished superbly.

Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 21 minutes

15:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right - Scotland must start again. This time the handling is less secure, Finn Russell tossing his pass for Chris Harris forward. Argentina scrum.

Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 20 minutes

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up into double figures for the phase count as both props are employed for a lumber. Ali Price snipes but meets a couple of burly forwards.

Fraser Brown’s effort is more muscular, and Jonny Gray’s, too. Patience needed for Scotland...

Turnover! 20 phases and finally the attack is kaput, Pablo Matera timing his breakdown pilfer perfectly after Grant Gilchrist had been turtled. Argentina kick away.

Scotland 7-8 Argentina, 18 minutes

15:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotlan dgo back to work inside the Argentina half. Chris Harris biffs Pablo Matera out of the way, before Jack Dempsey niftily gets back to his feet to carry again after the tackler fails to hold him.

Argentina sniff a turnover but can’t quite snatch it. Finn Russell shows his array of handling skills as Scotland keep continuity and return to the opposition 22.

TRY! Scotland 7-8 ARGENTINA (Jeronimo de la Fuente try, 16 minutes)

15:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But Argentina reload and Jeronimo de la Fuente is over in the corner!

Finn Russell raises his arms in complaint but there is nothing wrong with Argentina’s efforts to impede him after the grubber’s ricochet. Darcy Graham holds his focus to make a strong hit on Gonzalo Bertranou as the Pumas play wide to the left, but Tomas Lavanini wisely steps in for his tackled scrum-half, ensuring the ball is swift.

Two sharp transfers put De la Fuente over.

Scotland 7-3 Argentina, 15 minutes

15:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Santiago Carreras tries his own Lionel Messi-esque thread through, but Scottish legs block it.

Scotland 7-3 Argentina, 14 minutes

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cultured from Pablo Matera! There is little on as the number eight collects in a wide channel but Matera is wise to space in behind, dropping the ball on to a prodded left toe, and forcing Duhan van der Merwe to carry back over his own line.

Scotland 7-3 Argentina, 13 minutes

15:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How do Argentina respond? For the first time their forwards start to make dents in the Scottish defensive line, before the slighter Juan Cruz Mallia pinballs between a couple of would-be tacklers.

TRY! SCOTLAND 7-3 Argentina (Sione Tuipulotu try, 12 minutes)

15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Brilliant from Russell and Tuipulotu!

Classic Finn Russell, that. The fly-half lets the defence come to him, the line fracturing slightly and allowing Russell enough space to get an arm free. A flat offload out the side door sends Tuipulotu through.

There’s still plenty to do for the centre, with Argentine tacklers circling as he canters into the 22, but a vicious right-foot step and burly finish ensure he capitalises on Russell’s deft piece of handling.

Over goes the conversion, too.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 10 minutes

15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lovely from Finn Russell! A fend, an offload, and Sione Tuipulotu hurries through the hole...

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 9 minutes

15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not quite! Scotland play away from the maul and there’s a hint of an overlap as Finn Russell fizzes a miss ball to Stuart Hogg. Hogg initially appears to have got space on the outside arc, but Emiliano Boffelli’s fleet feet close the space superbly.

Hogg attempts an extraordinarily ambitious offload from the floor which ends up in Row A rather than Duhan van der Merwe’s hopeful hands.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 8 minutes

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a promising start in attack from Scotland. Two dummy runners create space out the back as Argentina narrow slightly too easily, Darcy Graham charging on up the right. Matias Orlando takes him down, but fails to roll away - into the corner kick Scotland.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 7 minutes

15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Schoeman makes amends! The Argentina maul initially gets a march on, but is soon halted almost singlehandedly by the loosehead prop, long locks bouncing off his back as he grips tightly on to Julian Montoya and the ball. Scotland scrum feed.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 6 minutes

15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The first scrum of the afternoon hits the deck, with Pierre Schoeman deemed to have hinged - perhaps harsh, that, as it looked like Eduardo Bello was slightly too long in his set-up. Anyway, an Argentina penalty.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 5 minutes

15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Scotland kick down towards the Argentina 22.

Funky! A darty lineout to the front from Fraser Brown and then the hooker fancies a return, but Jamie Ritchie’s netball pass back to him is a yard or so forward, and flies into touch. A nifty idea, but work needed on the execution.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 4 minutes

15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ali Price gets more underneath his box kick than he’d like, and Argentina take it well. Santiago Carreras puts up a crossfield kick, and Argentina manage to claw it back, but it tumbles forward from a knee and is played by an offside player.

Scotland 0-3 Argentina, 3 minutes

15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina do rather better with the restart, Gonzalo Bertranou kicking up the right touchline and Stuart Hogg chopped in half by Bautista Delguy.

Scotland kick, Finn Russell trying to turn Argentina, but Juan Cruz Mallia tracks it well.

A prolonged kicking exchange sees Emiliano Boffelli nearly get to Mallia’s next high hoist, but Russell does well to both take and flick an offload away.

PENALTY! Scotland 0-3 ARGENTINA (Emiliano Boffelli penalty, 2 minutes)

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Smooth as you like from Boffelli. Argentina into an immediate lead.

Scotland 0-0 Argentina, 1 minute

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And that’s an excellent start for the visitors - a sharp tackle after a hanging restart, and Marcos Kremer’s counter-ruck earns a breakdown penalty.

Julian Montoya gestures towards the post. On comes the tee for Emiliano Boffelli.

Off we go!

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Argentina kick off, and the final match of the year for these two sides is underway.

Officials

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s Karl Dickson is our whistle-man this afternoon, with Brett Cronan of Australia ready to assist as the TMO.

Flower of Scotland

15:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Saltires wave along to the pleasant opening piping of “Flower of Scotland”. It looks another full Murrayfield house for the last Test of the year for Scotland.

Himno Nacional Argentina

15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Argentina squad stand proudly, bolt upright with muscular arms draped over their teammates’ shoulders. They roar out the national anthem with typical gusto, captain Julian Montoya closing with a deep huff and a face of thunder.

Scotland vs Argentina

15:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamie Ritchie, tousled hair flopping over the strapping on his forehead, strides out purposefully, releasing the hand of the mascot that flanks him as he crosses the touchline and breaks into a gallop.

Scotland vs Argentina

15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Scottish players gather in a huddle in the dressing room, Finn Russell last to pull on his jacket and take his place alongside Stuart Hogg.

Emiliano Boffelli will lead out Argentina on his 50th cap, trotting out of the tunnel in his adopted home city to a warm ovation. Julian Montoya and the rest of Los Pumas follow him out.

Scotland vs Argentina

15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is a cool but dry afternoon in Edinbugh, with rain forecast to come later but likely after the match has concluded. It’s a mighty tough game to call, this - Argentina looked a bit flat last week but should be better this.

Georgia beat Wales

14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brief diversion away from events to come and a trip to Cardiff, where Georgia have secured a famous win over Wales. It was a game won in typical Georgian fashion, with two outstanding scrums late on delivering the match-winning points and penalty, but it was a complete performance from an ever improving side.

As for Wales...crikey. Defeats to Italy and Georgia in the same year - problems for Wayne Pivac.

Scotland vs Argentina

14:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sione Tuipulotu has challenged Scotland to gain some revenge on Argentina this Saturday after being pipped at the post by the Pumas in the summer.

The two nations played a three-Test series in South America in July and, after they had won one Test apiece, the Scots looked on course to triumph in the third Test when they led by 15 points, only for the hosts to fight back and claim a 34-31 victory in the final moments of the match.

Tuipulotu, the Glasgow centre, is hoping his side can settle a score when they welcome Argentina to BT Murrayfield for the final Test of the autumn series.

“I hope we can get one back on them after we fell short by a small margin in the summer,” he said. “That’s a massive motivation this week.

“There’s also the factor that a lot of players who weren’t available to us in the summer are available to us now, the likes of Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris. That adds a lot of experience.”

Sione Tuipulotu challenges Scotland to gain revenge on Argentina

Scotland vs Argentina

14:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Can Scotland contend with Argentina’s pack? They fronted up really, really well to New Zealand last week, knocking the All Blacks off their game. I’m intrigued to see how Matt Fagerson and Jamie Ritchie’s roles change alongside Jack Dempsey in the back row - the hosts will miss Hamish Watson but it may not be a bad week to have a little extra size in that area, however much above his weight the openside typically punches.

Scotland vs Argentina

14:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s been a mixed 2022 for both of these two sides. Scotland started on a high with that win over England at Murrayfield but have struggled to build consistency. A win today would give Gregor Townsend’s side optimism entering a World Cup year - the team is unlikely to look drastically different come their tournament opener against South Africa.

Argentina’s obvious peaks this year are those performances against New Zealand and England, but if the Pumas have any realistic expectations of a deep World Cup run, this is an important occasion to build confidence.

Team News - Argentina

14:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Julian Montoya returns to lead the Argentina side at hooker. The captain is joined in the starting front row by tighthead Eduardo Bello. Emiliano Boffelli has played all 12 of Argentina’s Tests in the last five months, closing a busy international year in his adopted home city alongside Bautista Delguy and Juan Cruz Mallia in the back three.

There is a Matias swap in the centres with Orlando in for Moroni, while Nicolas Sanchez is back from a calf tear to offer a steadying ten option on the bench if required.

Argentina XV: T Gallo, J Montoya (capt.), E Bello; M Alemanno, T Lavanini; JM Gonzalez, M Kremer, P Matera; G Bertranou, S Carreras; E Boffelli, J de la Fuente, M Orlando, B Delguy; JC Mallia.

Replacements: I Ruiz, N Tetaz Chaparro, S Medrano, L Paulos, F Isa; L Bazan Velez, N Sanchez, M Moroni.

Team News - Scotland

14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After a strong showing against New Zealand, Gregor Townsend makes only two changes to his Scottish side. One is enforced – Richie Gray’s misdeeds in a ruck resulted in an appearance in front of a citing committee and a ban; his younger brother Jonny starts in his place in the second row.

Hamish Watson’s concussion means there is a first start for Jack Dempsey in Scottish blue and a shuffling of the back row, with Matt Fagerson shunted to six and Jamie Ritchie captaining the side from seven. Finn Russell’s partner, Emma, is heavily pregnant but the fly-half starts again with the newest member of the family yet to arrive.

Andy Christie has been in good form for Saracens and could make his first appearance of the autumn from the bench, where there is also a return to the squad for Cam Redpath.

Scotland XV: P Schoeman, F Brown, Z Fagerson; J Gray, G Gilchrist; M Fagerson, J Ritchie (capt.), J Dempsey; A Price, F Russell; D van der Merwe, S Tuipulotu, C Harris, D Graham; S Hogg.

Replacements: G Turner, J Bhatti, M Walker, G Young, A Christie; B White, B Kinghorn, C Redpath.

Scotland vs Argentina

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Zander Fagerson has called on Scotland to round off an Autumn Nations Series of mixed fortunes on a positive note by delivering a “ruthless” performance against Argentina at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Gregor Townsend’s side have suffered two agonising defeats at the hands of heavyweights Australia and New Zealand after leading in both games.

In between, they fought back to beat Fiji after a ragged first half.

Fagerson admitted the Scots – buoyed by their spirited effort against the All Blacks last weekend – are desperate to produce a complete 80-minute display of focus and discipline in their final outing of 2022.

“We were in the game for so long last weekend and it was just that last little bit, so there are lots of lessons to be learnt,” said the Scotland and Glasgow prop.

“All eyes are on Argentina now and we’re looking to go out on a high with a performance we can be proud of.

“We want to go out there, stick to our game-plan and give an 80-minute performance. We’ve shown glimpses but we’ve not done a full 80-minute performance in games.

“We have to go out there and be ruthless, take it to them for the whole game and come away with a win.”

Scotland vs Argentina

13:42 , Lawrence Ostlere

Scotland are taking on Argentina at Murrayfield as Gregor Townsend’s men look to bounce back from agonising defeat by the All Blacks with a victory over the Pumas this afternoon.

The Scots came agonisingly close to a first-ever win over New Zealand, only to see the game slip away at the death as they fell to a 31-23 defeat in Edinburgh. It came after a similarly frustrating 16-15 loss to Australia, albeit with a win over Fiji in between the two results.

Argentina edged a thrilling three-match series between these two countries in South America earlier this year as Michael Cheika’s men clinched the decided in Santiago del Estero 34-31, but the Scots will fancy their chances of making amends here on home turf.