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Argentina’s preparation for the Rugby Championship has taken a second blow in as many days. Following the loss of prop Santiago García Botta to injury Gabriel Ascárate has joined him on the sidelines. Neither player will travel to South Africa for the opening round fixture.
UAR doctor Guillermo Botto confirmed that Ascárate tore a hamstring and will not be able to face the Springboks. The injury is the latest in a remarkable list os setbacks to harm the Tucumán center’s career. Having emerged from Los Pumitas he played as a professional in both France and Scotland before home with a neck injury in 2014.
He signed to play Super Rugby for Los Jaguares but was unable to play a single match due to additional injury complications. Now aged 28 the mid-fielder’s string of injuries has continued.
With Emiliano Boffelli injured, Marcelo Bosch no longer eligible and Matías Moroni with Los Pumas 7’s in Rio de Janeiro the options are slim. Daniel Hourcade has Matías Orlando and Jerónimo del la Fuente in training at present. Neither player, though, has been used predominantly in the outside center position.
