Brazil squad named for South American Championship

Rodolfo Ambrosio has named his Brazil squad for the 2016 South American ‘A’ Championship. Following on the wildly successful Americas Rugby Championship that included an historic win over the US Eagles, the Head Coach has maintained virtually the same group of players, with only three new names that did not take part in the new flagship Americas competition.

Jacareí prop Luan Almeida, Curitiba halfback Lucas Domingues, and Desterro centre Philip Ramos are the new players, with Domingues coming into the group from the national sevens squad. Only one specialist hooker is named in Yan Rosetti, with veteran Daniel Danielewicz absent, but the presence of six props suggests either Rafael Carnivalle or Jonatas Paulo will be asked to cover the position.

Australian-based flyhalf David Harvey will miss out, as will France-based second row Luiz Vieira. The side will, however, have the Sancery twins involved, with the duo securing an early release from their contract with Pro D2 club Albi to play for local club São José in order to concentrate on Olympic preparations at the conclusion of the Championship series.

FORWARDS
Lucas Abud (SPAC), Luan Almeida (Jacareí), Rafael Carnivalle (SPAC), Jonatas Paulo (Band Saracens), Wilton Rebolo (São José), Caique Silva (CUQ, AR), Yan Rosetti (CUBA, AR), Cleber Dias (Wallys), Diego López (Pasteur), Lucas Piero (Desterro), Matheus Wolf (Joaca), André Arruda (Desterro), Arthur Bergo (SPAC), João Luiz da Ros (Desterro), Mark Jackson (Desterro), Gabriel Paganini (Band Saracens), Nick Smith (SPAC)

BACKS
Beukes Cremer (Poli), Lucas Domingues (Curitiba), Lucas Duque (São José), Moisés Duque (São José), Robert Tenório (Pasteur), Mateus Estrela (Niterói), Philip Ramos (Desterro), Felipe Sancery (São José), Laurent Bourda-Couhet (Band Saracens), Guilherme Coghetto (Desterro), Stefano Giantorno (San Luis, AR), Lucas Muller (Desterro), Daniel Sancery (São José)

FIXTURES
Sat, Apr 23 – vs Uruguay
Sat, Apr 30 – vs Chile
Sat, May 7 – vs Paraguay