Argentina footballers 'inspire' Contepomi's Pumas before England Test

Head coach of Argentina's rugby team Felipe Contepomi said on Thursday that the feats of the country's football side at the World Cup are an "inspiration" for his outfit as they prepare to face England in the Nations Champions in Santiago del Estero.

Holders La Albiceleste reached the tournament's final on Sunday in New York where they face Spain having produced a comeback win to beat England 2-1 in Wednesday's semi-final.

"It's inspiring," Contepomi told reporters.

"I wouldn't even say it moves me emotionally – it's bigger than that.

"Emotions are momentary; inspiration stays," the former Pumas fly-half added before Saturday's Test match.

Lionel Messi's footballers are coached by Lionel Scaloni who is eyeing back-to-back World Cup crowns.

Contepomi's praised his counterpart from the round ball game.

"I don't remember him making a bad substitution, I don't remember him misreading the opponent's game," Contepomi said.

"Personally, I learn, I watch, I try to listen to what he says and how he says it, because he seems to me a very interesting person.

"It's hard to copy, to imitate, but he's definitely a reference point," he added.

The build-up to Saturday's third round fixture has included England back-rower Henry Pollock teasing Argentine fans in Buenos Aires.

Videos on social media show the 21-year-old taunting locals in blue and white football shirts with facial gestures as he sat in the England team bus driving through the capital city.

"I base my view on what he does on the pitch, and he plays well, very well," Contepomi said.

"The truth is that, for his age, he does things very well.

"As for his character, he's young, from another generation.

"I might agree or not with some of the things he does, there are things I wouldn't do, and surely when I was young I also did things that other people didn't agree with.

"That's just how it is.

"I don't want to comment on his personality because I don't know him," he added.

Contepomi has made two changes to his starting team from last Saturday's convincing win over Wales.

Bristol's Matias Moroni replaces Saracens' Lucio Cinti at outside centre while Mayco Vivas takes Boris Wenger's spot at tight-head prop.

Cinti and Wenger drop to the bench.

Elsewhere, among the replacements recently-crowned French Top 14 champion in Toulouse lock Efrain Elias, Leicester Tigers back-rower Joaquin Moro and prop Pedro Delgado are the other new faces from last Saturday's convincing win over Wales.

Argentina (15-1)

Santiago Carreras; Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Justo Piccardo, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Santiago Grondona; Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti; Tomas Rapetti, Julian Montoya (capt), Mayco Vivas

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wenger, Pedro Delgado, Efrain Elias, Pablo Matera, Joaquin Moro, Simon Benitez Cruz, Lucio Cinti

Coach: Felipe Contepomi (ARG)