Hourcade confirms 23 players to face French Barbarians

Los Pumas Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has confirmed his list of 23 players for Friday’s non-capped international against the French Barbarians at La Plata Rugby Club. The fixture is to be the second of two matches between the teams. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30pm.

In relation to the squad announced on Monday Hourcade has released eight players – Rodrigo Báez, Lisandro Ahualli De Chazal, Juan Cruz Guillemaín, Matías Cortese, Tomás Lezana, Felipe Ezcurra, Joaquín Tuculet and Manuel Montero.

The absense of Montero is injury motivated. The left winger’s season is over with him requiring long-term rehabilitation. With him missing and Santiago Cordero preparing for the Pan American Games Hourcade has included Lucas González Amorosino who missed the first match due to becoming a father. Tomas Carrió, for hsi part, joins after returning from playing for the Argentina XV in the World Rugby Nations Cup in Romania.

Hourcade said “the changes are obligatory. Tomás Carrió has entered for Manuel Montero, who has suffered an injury while Lucas González Amorosino replaces Joaquín Tuculet, who picked up an abdominal injury and cannot be a part of Friday’s match”.

While being far from the likely Rugby World Cup squad due to many players being rested following the European club season the squad nonetheless features fifteen UAR contracted players.

Argentina

Forwards
Matías Alemanno (UAR), Matías Díaz (UAR), Santiago Iglesias Valdez (UAR), Facundo Isa (UAR), Tomás Lavanini (Racing 92, France), Benjamín Macome (Bayonne, France), Pablo Matera (UAR), Julián Montoya (UAR), Lucas Noguera Paz (UAR), Javier Ortega Desio (UAR), Guido Petti Pagadizabal (UAR), Bruno Postiglioni (Zebre, Italy), Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (UAR)

Backs
Tomás Carrió (Duendes, Rosario), Jerónimo De la Fuente (UAR), Lucas González Amorosino (Cardiff Blues, Wales), Santiago González Iglesias (UAR), Martín Landajo (UAR), Román Miralles (Duendes, Rosario), Matías Moroni (UAR), Nicolás Sánchez (UAR), Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle, England)