Bavaro captains Argentina against Uruguay

Aged just 21 promising Buenos Aires back-rower Lautaro Bavaro has been named captain of the Argentina XV. The national ‘A’ team will play away to Uruguay on Saturday, taking on Los Teros at the Estadio Alberto Suppici for the Sudamérica Rugby Cup.

The coaching team of Pablo Bouza, Diego Ternavasio and Maximiliano Bustos have named a youthful side but one featuring a number of players to have been involved in the Americas Rugby Championship this year and even Super Rugby.

Bavaro is to lead a pack containing third choice Argentine hooker and tighthead prop Facundo Bosch and Felipe Arregui. Both are playing for potential places in the June internationals as are their deputies Santiago Iglesias Valdez and Cristian Bartoloni. It is up-front that the Argentina XV will have genuine strength.

Second-rower Ignacio Larrague (pictured) is another to watch out for. Both he and Pedro Ortega are possibilities for June as is the young Federico Lavanini who will cover from the bench. With Juan Cruz Guillemaín missing to injury and Tomás Lavanini having been red carded playing for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby Daniel Hourcade will require options to assist Guido Petti and Matías Alemanno who are presently his only available options.

Injuries to Los Jaguares in the mid-field and outwide also means attention on Argentina XV players is vital. Jerónimo De la Fuente, Manuel Montero and Lucas González Amorosino are presently nursing injuries while Emiliano Boffelli and Segundo Tuculet both went down hurt against the Kings earlier today in South Africa.

Prime opportunities exist for many with particular focus set to be placed on Joaquín Paz, Juan Cappiello and Pedro Mercerat.

Calling the strings at fly half will be Joaquín Díaz Bonilla who is coming off a national club title with Hindú. He, and others, have been given the opportunity in part due to Los Pumitas involvement in the upcoming World Rugby Junior World Championship in Manchester, England.

ARGENTINA XV
1 Franco Brarda, 2 Facundo Bosch, 3 Felipe Arregui, 4 Pedro Ortega, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 6 Lucas Maguire, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Santiago Portillo, 9 Marcos Bollini, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 11 Franco Cuaranta, 12 Joaquín Paz, 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Sebastián Cancelliere, 15 Pedro Mercerat

Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Eduardo Bello, 18 Cristian Bartoloni, 19 Federico Lavanini, 20 Santiago Montagner, 21 Juan Manuel Lescano, 22 Bruno Devoto, 23 Tomás Granella