Scotland v Argentina: Can Scots shun heartbreak & beat Pumas?

With only Tonga to come this month the result against Argentina will set the narrative from this Autumn and heading into the Six Nations.

Are Scotland a team on the cusp of finally contending? Or have this group of players under Gregor Townsend hit their ceiling?

The evidence for either argument is there.

Scotland have lost all 18 Tests in the Townsend era against the top three in the world – South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland. Teams Scotland would not expect to beat.

In that last year they have won three of their eight Tests against Tier One opposition. Wins against Italy, Wales, and Australia at Murrayfield have been offset by losses to the Springboks, All Blacks, France, England, and Ireland.

On the other hand they have busted hoodoos against England, France, Wales and established themselves as one of the world’s best attacking sides.

For some, last week’s narrow loss was further evidence Scotland are caught in rugby purgatory between the very best and the game’s middle class.

For others it showed Scotland are on the verge of something special, if they can just overcome the final hurdle in their minds.

It is the perennial angst Scottish rugby has wrestled with for much of the last few years.

A win against Argentina will not necessarily shift opinions, perhaps unfairly, as despite their considerable recent achievments they are likely to be underestimated by many fans.

But defeat, even against a side ranked above them in the world, would sap Scotland of momentum and confidence heading into 2026 and set tongues wagging.

Argentina will be gunning for Scotland after a record win against Wales last week, as they pursue a first ever clean sweep of the home nations in November.

They have the players, experience, and steel to win in Edinburgh for the first time since 2009. It will be a ferocious test of Scotland’s ability and mentality.

When Graham leads Scotland out it will be a moment cheered to the rafters at Murrayfield as one of the stadium’s favourite sons take a well-deserved bow for reaching a half century – while scoring and a joint-record 34 tries.

Then, Scotland must set aside all of their baggage and take care of business.