Nations Championship 2026 Squads: Argentina’s Rivals in November
The Nations Championship 2026 squads for Argentina’s November opponents will define whether Los Pumas can reach the Twickenham final. After a 1-2 record in the July window — beating Wales, losing to Scotland and England — Argentina travel to Europe in November facing Ireland, Italy and France in three consecutive away Tests.
Here’s what each squad brings and what Argentina need to prepare for.
Argentina — Los Pumas Squad Assessment
The July window gave clear signals about this squad’s strengths and areas to fix before November.
What’s working: Pablo Petti reaching 100 caps against Wales was more than a milestone — it reflected the reliability he brings to the lineout. That set-piece platform has been Argentina’s most consistent asset in July. Bautista Oviedo was the standout performer of the window, his ruck work directly freeing the nine to control tempo. The return of Marcos Kremer after missing the Scotland match restored the physical balance in the loose forwards that Argentina need in European conditions.
What needs fixing: The aerial game. Argentina lost the kick-chase battle against Scotland and it wasn’t resolved against Wales either. France in particular will target this relentlessly at the Stade de France. The maul defence inside the 25-yard zone — which cost Argentina against Scotland — will be tested again by Ireland’s powerful driving lineout.
For the full July analysis, read our Argentina Nations Championship 2026 November tour preview.
Ireland — The Hardest Test
Ireland arrive at the Nations Championship 2026 as the top-ranked northern hemisphere nation and the most complete team Argentina will face in November. Their squad is built on the same structures that have made them the dominant force in Six Nations rugby for the past three seasons.
Key threat: Ireland’s defensive line speed is the fastest in world rugby. They press up aggressively and force handling errors in areas where other teams give you time. Argentina’s halfbacks need to be at their sharpest to beat that rush.
Key player to watch: Their openside flanker shapes everything Ireland do at the breakdown — turnover threat, link player, and the first defender who sets the line speed tone for the whole team.
What Argentina need: Win the physical battle at the breakdown and control the aerial contest. If Ireland win both, the match becomes very difficult. If Argentina neutralise the breakdown and keep the kick-chase competitive, they can stay in the game until the final quarter.
Italy — The Must-Win
Italy have been one of the most improved teams in northern hemisphere rugby over the past three seasons. They are no longer the soft touch of the Six Nations — their ball-in-hand attack is creative, their set-piece has improved, and they carry genuine belief going into matches against top-ten opposition.
Key threat: Italy’s attacking structure in the wide channels. They move the ball quickly and look to create mismatches in space — if Argentina’s defensive system isn’t organised laterally, Italy will find gaps.
Key player to watch: Their 10 controls the pace and direction of everything Italy do. When their flyhalf is on form, Italy are a completely different team.
What Argentina need: Win this match. Based on squad quality and tournament position, this is the fixture Los Pumas cannot afford to drop. A bonus-point win here would significantly improve Argentina’s Twickenham final chances. As RugbyPass has noted, Italy away is no longer a guaranteed result for any top-ten nation — Argentina need to treat it accordingly.
France — The Final Frontier
France at the Stade de France in November is one of the most hostile environments in Test rugby. The crowd, the conditions and a French squad that plays its best rugby at home make this a formidable final assignment.
Key threat: The aerial game. France’s kicking strategy from 10 and 15 will target exactly the weakness Argentina showed in July. High balls under pressure, contestable kicks into the back three — this is France’s primary weapon and Argentina’s most exposed area.
Key player: France’s tighthead prop. Their scrum power at home, with a full crowd behind them, is significant. Argentina’s front row will be tested in the set-piece after a demanding three-week European tour.
What Argentina need: The scrum to hold and the aerial game to be solved before kick-off. If those two things are functioning, Argentina can produce a result at the Stade de France. It has been done before.
The November Picture
Three away Tests in three weeks against Ireland, Italy and France. The schedule demands consistency across the full squad — not one good performance, three. Argentina’s depth, built on years of European club rugby experience, is what makes this realistic rather than aspirational.
See the full Nations Championship 2026 schedule and results for the complete picture.
