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The UAR has blocked Facundo Isa from Jaguares training. The star no8 was stopped from playing for Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise in yesterday’s warm-up match against Uruguay.
Juan Manuel Leguizamón and Leonardo Senatore played a half each against Los Teros. A third no8, Benjamín Macome also played albeit out of position at lock. They join Facundo Isa and u20 graduate Santiago Portillo as the options at no8 for Los Jaguares and, indeed, Argentina this year.
Isa’s non-involvement was due to his future. The Santiago del Estero back-rower has signed a contract with Toulouse. The two-year deal will see him in France from July 2017 to July 2019. This will not see him miss Rugby World Cup 2019 but it means he will not be able to play for Los Pumas before returning home.
Existing policies mean he only possible Pumas appearances will be against England and Georgia this coming June.
The UAR are actively working now to determine the case of Isa. Although no official announcement has been made from Toulouse or the UAR L’equipe has confirmed the move. The uncertainty complicates matters for all concerned at a complicated time – a month out from the start of the Super Rugby season.
Until it is cleared up Isa will not be training with his peers. Of note is the precedent set by Facundo Bosch. The hooker signed for Agen and will move to France in June. After having signed with Agen the UAR released Bosch from Los Jaguares.
