Gonza in for the Pumas

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs winger Gonzalo Camacho will win his 18th international cap when he lines-up for Argentina in their opening Autumn international against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm).

The 28-year-old speedster has only recently returned to Sandy Park having been away featuring for the Pumas in the inaugural Rugby Championship, a competition in which he started every game for his country.

Camacho, however, has wasted little time in making his mark for the Chiefs since his return - scoring Exeter's opening try in their 33-9 victory over Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership last Saturday.

As well as facing Wales, Argentina will also tackle France in Paris on November 17 and Ireland in Dublin on November 24.

Joining Camacho in the starting XV will be the experienced Felipe Contepomi, who will be the sole survivor from the Argentina side that stunned Wales 30-16 in Cardiff in 2001 when the Pumas take the field on Saturday.

"It's one of the great memories of this team but I am the only survivor. For many of the players from that game, and every time we meet up to catch up, we always remember that game," he said.

"It was one of our biggest wins away from home and gave us the confidence and mentality to look to win every game, no matter where."

The former Leinster man contributed 25 points to that success as the south Americans began their climb to claim a place at international rugby's top table.

"Wales is a rugby nation that we love, we've always been very in touch since the seventies when we nearly beat them but lost in the last minute," he added. "It's one of the places you always want to play and I was so lucky to be part of the team that beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium."

The veteran centre has been recalled to the Argentina starting line-up having sat out the Pumas' Rugby Championship campaign.