Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Facundo Bosch has extended his contract with Agen until June 2019. The Argentine hooker arrived at the club ahead of the 2017-2018 season and has now signed to remain there until the end of next season. This comes as a hammer blow to Argentina with him officially being the third choice hooker for Los Pumas.
Bosch joined Agen from Los Jaguares. In signing to move to the club in July the doors were closed on him from the UAR. This saw him without a team to play for in the first half of 2017 as other options were considered to be third choice Jaguares hooker.
For Los Pumas his departure did not have an impact. This was due to Agustín Creevy and Julián Montoya remaining fully fit throughout the international campaign. Issues at the Argentina XV, however, saw players called-up from outside of PladAR to play hooker.
Since joining Agen Bosch has made 9 appearances out of 11 rounds thus far in the Top 14 season. He has started in 8 of these matches and has scored three tries. His most recent performance was in a winning effort against Stade Français. He crossed for a try in the match.
Until returning from France Bosch is, officially, not eligible for international duty. Yet with Argentina’s depth at hooker being low at home this policy appears unlikely to withstand the possible loss of Creevy or Montoya to injury. In addition to Bosch Santiago Socino has been performing well in England this season as has Santiago Iglesias Valdez in France.
Los Jaguares made-due by utilizing Loose Head prop Roberto Tejerizo out of position at hooker this year. The move was not replicated by the Argentina XV as other players were deemed to be better suited to the needs of the team.
Arguably ahead of Tejerizo are Gaspar Baldunciel, Marcelo Brandi, Agustín Gómez di Nardo and Axel Zapata as local-based hookers. Mario Ledesma is expected to include one in his roster for the 2018 Super Rugby campaign.
