Argentina make changes for Americas Pacific Challenge

A strong Argentina XV will take part in the Americas Pacific Challenge. Several players have joined the group who were not part of the original training squad announced. Most notable among the additions are captain Lautaro Bavaro, Jaguares flyhalf Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, and sevens star Matías Osadczuk.

There are three late changes to the final roster. Felipe Ezcurra, Julián Domínguez, and Santiago Resino were meant to take part but have now been replaced with Ezcurra headed to Leicester and the other ruled out. In their place are Luca Magnasco, Federico Gimenez, and Pumitas standout Juan Pablo Castro.

Others promoted directly from the u20 program include tighthead prop Lucio Sordoni, second row Lucas Paulos, flanker Santiago Grondona, and outside backs Santiago Carreras and Leopoldo Herrera. Juan Bautista Daireaux played flyhalf for the Pumitas but is set to wear the No15 shirt in the APC after impressing as a fullback with Newman.

San Luis scrumhalf Gregorio del Prete is the only capped player in the squad though many have experience in the Americas Rugby Championship. Domingo Miotti is set to battle Diaz Bonilla for a potential starting spot with the Jaguares, while loose forwards Rodrigo Bruni and Francisco Gorrissen are being eyed for the Pumas tour in November.

Argentina will play against Samoa, Canada, and the USA in the Senior ‘A’ competition. A detailed roster list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Franco Brarda (Tala), Marco Ciccioli (CASI), Lucas Favre (Lomas), Nicolás Solveyra (CUBA), Lucio Sordoni (Atlético del Rosario), Gaspar Baldunciel (Alumni), Axel Zapata (SITAS), Ignacio Larrague (CASI), Lucas Paulos (Olivos), Santiago Portillo (Los Tarcos), Jerónimo Ureta (Newman), Lautaro Bavaro (Hindú), Rodrigo Bruni (San Luis), Francisco Gorrissen (Belgrano), Santiago Grondona (Champagnat), Nicolás Sbrocco (Uni Tucumán)

BACKS
Gregorio del Prete (San Luis), Luca Magnasco (Alumni), Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (Hindú), Domingo Miotti (Tucumán Lawn Tennis), Lucas Mensa (Pucará), Santiago Carreras (Córdoba Athletic), Juan Pablo Castro (San Juan), Facundo Cordero (Regatas Bella Vista), Federico Giménez (Liceo Cuyo), Matías Osadczuk (SITAS), Juan Bautista Daireaux (Newman), Leopoldo Herrera (Córdoba Athletic)