Daniel Hourcade’s roster for the June 2017 internationals remains unconfirmed. In 2016 his first roster had 28 players. Most, albeit not all, of the players are to return for the 2017 fixtures. They are to be complimented by additional players, all of whom are to involved in the current Super Rugby campaign.
Out
Facundo Bosch and Facundo Isa have both left Argentina and are contracted to Agen and Toulon respectively for next season. Neither will play for Argentina and nor will any others playing their rugby in Europe.
Bosch had been the third choice hooker for both Los Jaguares and Los Pumas in 2016. His opportunities were limited which, ultimately, contributed to him signing to play in France. The search for greater game time resulted in Loose Head prop Roberto Tejerizo converting to hooker.
Tejerizo has been back-up to captain, Agustín Creevy in recent weeks. This is due to Julián Montoya being out injured. Montoya will be back in time for June. Tejerizo or Argentina XV regular, Gaspar Baldunciel are next in line. Hourcade, though, is likely to go for just two hookers.
Leonardo Senatore is to replace 2016 Argentine Player of the Year, Isa at No 8. Formerly of Bayonne, Benjamín Macome is the next in line at Los Jaguares and starts today against the Lions. Senatore missed the 2016 June Internationals though suspension.
No longer a Jaguar is Lucas González Amorosino. His personal decision came at a time when Argentina is in need of finding depth at wing. Juan Pablo Estelles debuted in November but will not be considered.
In
Marcos Ayerza has retired. Without him the scrum simply has not been the same. Los Pumas lost some of their edge in 2016 but did improve in November. In June 2016 Santiago García Botta and Facundo Gigena were the two players picked. Lucas Noguera Paz was injured at the time. He will take Gigena’s spot.
Problems in the scrum saw Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro moving to Loose Head prop in June. He missed out on the November tour with Enrique Pieretto displaying extraordinary abilities in the scrum. Pieretto was deputy to Ramiro Herrera, another out through suspension last June.
Problems also presented themselves in the second-row last June. Tomás Lavanini was a late arrival after returning from suspension. Limited resources saw flanker Javier Ortega Desio starting in the second-row against France. Such a possibility is low this time around. Marcos Kremer has demonstrated his abilities for Los Jaguares and has not been training with Los Pumitas.
Veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamón is to be back in the mix. Neither he nor Ortega Desio have played Super Rugby thus far in 2017. Rodrigo Báez and Tomás Lezana have proven to be more than adequate replacements.
Also yet to play are both Martín Landajo and Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies). The former is expected back within weeks for Los Jaguares while the latter is likely to have to sit out the June Internationals. Gonzalo Bertranou is likely to be picked with Felipe Ezcurra added if Hourcade opts for a third scrum half.
Santiago González Iglesias and Gabriel Ascárate appear to be cover, thereby potentially featuring in the event of injuries or suspensions. At fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla has moved above González Iglesias while Domingo Miotti is an outside possibility.
Winger Manuel Montero has not played since August. Ramiro Moyano has taken the opportunity in Super Rugby. He and Santiago Cordero are the best bets to join Montero as the wing options. Emiliano Boffelli join them and is to cover both fullback and outside center yet it is anticipated he will make his debut on the wing.
All considered the projected roster will consist of 31 players. This is to include two players in all positions, a familiarity under Hourcade. The positions with additional players are Tight Head Prop, Flanker and Wing. In all cases one of more player covers another position.
PLAYER | POSITION | AGE | DEBUT | CAPS |
Santiago García Botta | Loose Head Prop | 24 | 2013 vs Chile | 14 |
Lucas Noguera Paz | Loose Head Prop | 23 | 2014 vs Uruguay | 32 |
Agustín Creevy | Hooker | 32 | 2005 vs Japan | 59 |
Julián Montoya | Hooker | 23 | 2014 vs Uruguay | 29 |
Ramiro Herrera | Tight Head Prop | 28 | 2014 vs Ireland | 32 |
Enrique Pieretto | Tight Head Prop | 22 | 2016 vs Italy | 13 |
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Tight Head Prop | 27 | 2010 vs Chile | 30 |
Matías Alemanno | Second-row | 26 | 2014 vs Uruguay | 31 |
Marcos Kremer | Second-row | 19 | 2016 vs New Zealand | 3 |
Tomás Lavanini | Second-row | 24 | 2013 vs Uruguay | 30 |
Guido Petti | Second-row | 22 | 2014 vs Italy | 24 |
Rodrigo Báez | Flanker | 28 | 2010 vs Chile | 16 |
Juan Manuel Leguizamón | Flanker | 33 | 2005 vs Japan | 75 |
Tomás Lezana | Flanker | 23 | 2014 vs France | 11 |
Pablo Matera | Flanker | 24 | 2013 vs Chile | 34 |
Javier Ortega Desio | Flanker | 26 | 2012 vs Uruguay | 32 |
Benjamín Macome | No 8 | 31 | 2009 vs Chile | 23 |
Leonardo Senatore | No 8 | 32 | 2008 vs Uruguay | 44 |
Gonzalo Bertranou | Scrum half | 23 | 2015 vs Paraguay | 2 |
Matín Landajo | Scrum half | 28 | 2008 vs Chile | 66 |
Joaquín Diaz Bonilla | Fly half | 28 | 2016 vs Uruguay | 2 |
Nicolás Sánchez | Fly half | 28 | 2010 vs Uruguay | 50 |
Jerónimo de la Fuente | Inside Center | 26 | 2014 vs Uruguay | 27 |
Juan Martín Hernández | Inside Center | 34 | 2013 vs Paraguay | 66 |
Matías Moroni | Outside Center | 26 | 2014 vs Scotland | 13 |
Matías Orlando | Outside Center | 25 | 2012 vs Uruguay | 21 |
Santiago Cordero | Wing | 23 | 2013 vs England | 30 |
Manuel Montero | Wing | 25 | 2012 vs Uruguay | 26 |
Ramiro Moyano | Wing | 26 | 2011 vs Chile | 12 |
Emiliano Boffelli | Fullback | 22 | uncapped | 0 |
Joaquín Tuculet | Fullback | 27 | 2012 vs Italy | 40 |