Pumas name extended squad for November tests

Mario Ledesma has named 38 players to take part in a training camp for Argentina’s November test series. The squad is almost entirely domestic-based, with Stade Français prop Ramiro Herrera the only player currently based abroad. Nicolás Sánchez will join Herrera in Paris following the tour.

As expected there is no place for Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro who misses out after undergoing shoulder surgery. That leaves Santiago Garcia Botta as the only capped loosehead available. Jaguares tighthead Juan Pablo Zeiss is expected to provide cover after deputising during the Rugby Championship. Zeiss may also soon find himself in France with Perpignan close to securing his signature as a medical joker.

Included in the group are seven who have yet to make their test debut. Props Mayco Vivas and Lucio Sordoni, second row Lucas Paulos, and loose forwards Rodrigo Bruni and Santiago Grondona are close to Pumas selection. The two uncapped backs are flyhalf Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and outside back Matías Osadczuk. All have come through the Argentina XV program.

Test veterans Leonardo Senatore and Manuel Montero are included after making no appearances in the Rugby Championship. Juan Manuel Leguizamón is also named with speculation growing that the 35-year-old will confirm his retirement from test rugby at the end of the tour.

Ledesma will reduce the squad size to 30 for the four match tour that will see Los Pumas playing tests against Ireland, France, and Scotland. They will end the tour with a friendly against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.

There remains a possibility that further European-based players will be added to the group on their arrival. Benjamín Urdapilleta is set to return from injury sooner than expected and the Castres flyhalf could join the team for the final two matches of the tour. Agen hooker Facundo Bosch and Clermont Auvergne flyhalf Patricio Fernández are also in the frame for inclusion.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

 

LH PROP
Santiago García Botta (Belgrano / Jaguares)
Mayco Vivas (Atlético del Rosario / Argentina XV)
Juan Pablo Zeiss (Los Matreros / Jaguares)

HOOKER
Agustín Creevy (San Luis / Jaguares)
Julián Montoya (Newman / Jaguares)

TH PROP
Ramiro Herrera (Stade Français, FR)
Santiago Medrano (Regatas Bella Vista / Jaguares)
Enrique Pieretto (Córdoba Athletic / Jaguares)
Lucio Sordoni (Atlético del Rosario / Argentina XV)

LOCK
Matías Alemanno (La Tablada / Jaguares)
Tomás Lavanini (Hindú / Jaguares)
Lucas Paulos (Olivos / Argentina XV)
Guido Petti (SIC / Jaguares)

BACK ROW
Rodrigo Bruni (San Luis / Argentina XV)
Santiago Grondona (Champagnat / Argentina XV)
Marcos Kremer (Atlético del Rosario / Jaguares)
Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Santiago Lawn Tennis / Jaguares)
Tomás Lezana (Santiago Lawn Tennis / Jaguares)
Pablo Matera (Alumni / Jaguares)
Javier Ortega Desio (Estudientes de Paraná / Jaguares)
Leonardo Senatore (GE Rosario / Jaguares)

SCRUMHALF
Gonzalo Bertranou (Los Tordos / Jaguares)
Tomás Cubelli (Belgrano / Jaguares)
Martín Landajo (CASI / Jaguares)

FLYHALF
Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (Hindú / Jaguares)
Santiago González Iglesias (Alumni / Jaguares))
Nicolás Sánchez (Tucumán Lawn Tennis / Jaguares)

CENTRE
Jerónimo de la Fuente (Duendes / Jaguares)
Bautista Ezcurra (Hindú / Jaguares)
Matías Moroni (CUBA / Jaguares)
Matías Orlando (Huirapuca / Jaguares)
Matías Osadczuk (SITAS / Argentina XV)

WING
Sebastián Cancelliere (Hindú / Jaguares)
Bautista Delguy (Pucara / Jaguares)
Manuel Montero (Pucara / Argentina XV)
Ramiro Moyano (Lince / Jaguares)

FULLBACK
Emiliano Boffelli (Duendes / Jaguares)
Juan Cruz Mallía (Jockey Córdoba / Jaguares)