Allan, Lamb and Gomez Kodela making comebacks in Italy-Argentina match in Udine

ROME (AP) — Tommaso Allan’s comeback was confirmed when he was picked by Italy to play against Argentina in their autumn rugby opener this weekend in Udine.

Allan stepped away from test rugby after the first game of the Six Nations in February, the 27-24 loss to England in Rome. Italy’s record scorer in Rugby World Cups was tired and granted a break to focus on his club and family.

In the 80-cap fullback’s absence, Italy enjoyed its best Six Nations, beating Scotland and Wales and drawing with France.

“I followed them on TV,” Allan said. “On the one hand it was difficult to watch them from a distance, on the other I rejoiced for the results they achieved. For me and my family this choice has done a lot of good. I also think my way of playing rugby has benefited. I focused on helping (Perpignan) stay in the Top 14.”

Refreshed, he called coach Gonzalo Quesada in September to make himself available.

“For me (returning to Italy) it’s like the first day of school,” Allan said.

Italy has made four changes for Saturday’s test from its last outing, a 42-14 win over Japan in Sapporo in July.

Wing Monty Ioane was back, on a three-test try-scoring run. Flanker Sebastian Negri and lock Federico Ruzza replaced the unavailable Ross Vintcent and Andrea Zambonin, and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi has rotated in.

Beside Allan, the reserves also feature the return of Harlequins lock Dino Lamb, who last appeared at the World Cup a year ago.

Italy has not beaten Argentina since 2008, and not at home since 1998.

Argentina made six changes after losing the Rugby Championship decider to South Africa 48-7 in September.

Veteran forwards Francisco Gomez Kodela and Matias Alemanno were also recalled as reserves. The 39-year-old tighthead prop Gomez Kodela hasn’t played for the Pumas since the World Cup a year ago. The lock Alemanno missed the Rugby Championship.

The Pumas have brought in Miami midfielder Matias Orlando, Clermont wing Bautista Delguy, and clubless scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou, and promoted lock Franco Molina, center Lucio Cinti and fullback Juan Cruz Mallia off the bench from the loss in Mbombela.

They are touring without the injured Marcos Kremer (knee), Tomas Lavanini (ankle), Santiago Carreras (calf) and Santiago Chocobares. Also, former captain Pablo Matera was suspended from the match but has not travelled with the group.

Molina replacing Lavanini was the only change to the pack.

Mallia at fullback is expected to also cover flyhalf Tomas Albornoz.

Gomez Kodela played all seven matches at the World Cup in France and has powered on this season for Stade Francais.

“He never told us he was going to step aside,” coach Felipe Contepomi said on Thursday. “Any Argentine with a valid passport and in active service is eligible.

“In June we talked about looking at the short, medium and long term. Having Frankie may be a short term, but we think it’s the best thing for the team and to develop the game we want.”

The Pumas will also play Ireland and France but chose not to pick any of their four uncapped players, though one-cap Vannes flanker Bautista Pedemonte was on the bench.

Argentina last played Italy in 2021, winning 37-16 in Treviso.

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Lineups:

Italy: Ange Capuozzo, Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone, Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo. Reserves: Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti, Simone Ferrari, Dino Lamb, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Garbisi, Tommaso Allan, Marco Zanon.

Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Orlando, Bautista Delguy, Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou; Joaquin Oviedo, Santiago Grondona, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pedro Rubiolo, Franco Molina, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo. Reserves: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Matias Alemanno, Bautista Pedemonte, Gonzalo Garcia, Matias Moroni, Santiago Cordero.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby