Blockade Ends as Figallo is Officially Back for Argentina

The European-club blockade has ended. For the first time since RWC 2015 a player contracted on a full-time basis in Europe will play for Los Pumas. Head Coach Mario Ledesma has officially ended the policy as Juan Figallo is back for Argentina.

The Saracens tighthead is the the only European-based player in the roster named by Ledesma. To join later is Ramiro Herrera while, depending on performances, additional players could yet be added during the season.

Ledesma’s roster contains 28 players. It is a reduction from the 38-man roster named at the start of the week.  The inclusion of Figallo is one of two new names, the other being Tomás Lezana. This has resulted in 12 players being cut from the 38 to travel to Durban.

New caps are among the 28 with Diego Fortuny and Juan Pablo Zeiss both included. They join debutants from the June Internationals – Bautista Delguy, Bautista Ezcurra, Juan Cruz Mallía, and Santiago Medrano.

Named to travel are the injured duo of second-rower Tomás Lavanini and flanker Tomás Lezana. While they return first choice inside center Jerónimo de la Fuente is missing. Without him Ezcurra is the favorite to wear the 12 shirt against the Springboks.

Rodrigo Bruni trained at flanker this week but will not tour. Instead Pablo Matera will be fit to play with Lezana also touring. Juan Manuel Leguizamón, though, drops out of the roster. He joins fellow veteran Leonardo Senatore in this regard.

Also released is fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla. This sees Nicolás Sánchez being the only specialist fly half among the 28. Cover exists from fullbacks Emiliano Boffelli, and Juan Cruz Mallía and center Santiago González Iglesias. Meanwhile Ledesma is taking three scrum halves –  Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomás Cubelli, and Martín Landajo.

FORWARDS
Juan Figallo (Saracens), Santiago García Botta (Belgrano / Jaguares), Santiago Medrano (Regatas Bella Vista / Jaguares), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (La Plata / Jaguares), *Juan Pablo Zeiss (Los Matreros), Agustín Creevy (San Luis / Jaguares), Diego Fortuny (Uni Salta / Jaguares), Julián Montoya (Newman / Jaguares), Matías Alemanno (La Tablada / Jaguares), Tomás Lavanini (Hindú / Jaguares), Tomás Lezana (Santiago Lawn Tennis / Jaguares), Guido Petti (SIC / Jaguares), Marcos Kremer (Atlético del Rosario / Jaguares), Pablo Matera (Alumni / Jaguares), Javier Ortega Desio (Estudientes de Paraná / Jaguares)

BACKS
Gonzalo Bertranou (Los Tordos / Jaguares), Tomás Cubelli (Belgrano / Jaguares), Martín Landajo (CASI / Jaguares), Nicolás Sánchez (Tucumán Lawn Tennis / Jaguares), Bautista Ezcurra (Hindú / Jaguares), Santiago González Iglesias (Alumni / Jaguares), Matías Moroni (CUBA / Jaguares), Matías Orlando (Huirapuca / Jaguares), Sebastián Cancelliere (Hindú / Jaguares), Bautista Delguy (Pucará / Jaguares), Ramiro Moyano (Lince / Jaguares), Emiliano Boffelli (Duendes / Jaguares), Juan Cruz Mallía (Jockey Córdoba / Jaguares)

*Uncapped

ARGENTINA FIXTURES
August 18: vs South Africa, Durban
August 25: vs South Africa, Mendoza
September 8: vs New Zealand, Nelson
September 15: vs Australia, Gold Coast
September 29: vs New Zealand, Buenos Aires
October 6: vs Australia, Salta