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There are to be no restrictions on Nicolás Sánchez playing for Argentina all year. The fly half from Tucumán is to move to Paris to play for Stade Français in the Top 14 but his move will have no impact whatsoever on his availability for international duty.
Sánchez will remain under contract with the UAR until November. His move to France will officially begin following the November Internationals.
New Head Coach Mario Ledesma confirmed in today’s Press Conference that Sánchez’ contract with the Parisians will not stop him from playing for Los Pumas this year. As such Ledesma is expected to name Sánchez in his roster for the Rugby Championship which begins on August 18.
Sánchez has been Argentina’s starting test fly half for a number of years. In total he has 62 caps and is departing Los Jaguares as the firm starting fly half.
Juan Martín Hernández retired earlier this year while Santiago González Iglesias was not used by Ledesma as a fly half. The same is true of Bautista Ezcurra who was deputy to Jerónimo de la Fuente at inside center.
Additional fly half options exist in the Argentina XV. Players to have worn the jersey that are possibilities are Nicolás Cantarutti, Juan Bautista Daireaux, Martín Elías, Tomás Granella, and Domingo Miotti.
Outside of Argentina are Patricio Fernández and Benjamín Urdapilleta. Together with Sánchez they are Argentina’s leading options for the test arena. Questions remains as to whether such names will be called-up though Ledesma has the means to select them if desired.
