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Pumas and Argentina XV players feature in the Nacional de Clubes. Argentina’s national club competition starts this weekend. With it so does the battle to get to the top of the mountain in one of the world’s greatest amateur rugby competitions.
In Buenos Aires Pucará and Newman are to play in a derby classic. Pucará have named a side packed with players of note. Argentina XV winger Julián Dominguez and center Lucas Mensa both start in the backs. They join former former Pumas wingers Manuel Montero and Lucas González Amorosino, the latter of whom will play fly half.
Another side which contributed heavily to the Argentina XV’s Americas Rugby Championship campaign is CUBA. The club faces Tucumán Lawn Tennis this weekend. Starting at fly half is Juan Cruz González while Nicolás Solveyra will play Loose Head.
Cruz González is to be up against former Argentina XV fly half Domingo Miotti. Observers very much agree on Miotti as being a far more likely prospect for Los Jaguares and Los Pumas. Former Jaguar Roberto Tejerizo starts at Loose Head.
The reigning champions from 2015, 2016 and 2017 are Hindú. The Don Torquato club host Rosario’s Duendes, doing so with RWC players Horacio Agulla, and Santiago Fernández among their backs. Argentina XV captain Lautaro Bavaro starts at flanker while ARC prop Nicolás Leiva will play at Tight Head. Duendes have former Puma Román Miralles playing for them at fullback.
San Luis and Belgrano go head-to-head in an URBA derby. Playing no 8 for San Luis will be Rodrigo Bruni. The Argentina XV no 8 will face ARC teammate Francisco Gorrisen who starts at flanker as well as Francisco Ferronato who will play Loose Head.
Involved for Natación y Gimnasia will be former Pumas center Gabriel Ascárate. Were it not for injuries he may well have many more caps than his total of 18. Also starting for the Tucumán club will be Loose head Javier Díaz. He is uncapped but played for the Argentina XV in the recent ARC.
Their opponents are to be Alumni, the club of Jaguares captain Pablo Matera. It is home to two of Argentina’s brightest prospects at flanker: Santiago Montagner and Mariano Romanini. They start the match as does hooker Gaspar Baldunciel.
Rosario has produced many Pumas over the years. Three of Argentina’s top players in France are from the city – Manuel Carizza, Patricia Fernández, and Juan Imhoff. The club also produced Alberto di Bernardo who was capped by Italy. Former Argentina XV winger Dan Isaack joins di Bernardo in facing SIC this weekend. SIC go into the match with Gastón Arias starting at the back. He played fullback for the Argentina XV in the ARC.
