Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Argentina have called-up Mariano Galarza. The Bordeaux second-rower joins the roster Los Pumas in France for next Saturday’s international in Lille.
Galarza has been added to the roster in place of Marcos Kremer. The regular starting flanker was forced to return to Argentina for personal reasons. Without him Head Coach Mario Ledesma moved Guido Petti from second-row to flanker to start against Ireland.
The reconfiguration meant Tomás Lavanini was joined by Matías Alemanno in locking the scrum. This left Argentina without a specialist replacement second-rower against Ireland. Two flankers were on the bench with Tomás Lezana and debutant Rodrigo Bruni both making second half appearances.
Galarza’s arrival comes two days before his 32nd birthday. It sees him added 10 months before RWC 2019 and gives him the opportunity to add to his 25 test caps.
The last time he represented his country was at RWC 2015. He was a replacement against New Zealand at London’s Wembley Stadium. On that day he came on in the opening half after Guido Petti was concussed.
Galarza is the fifth player based in Europe to be selected for Argentina by Ledesma. He is the first player who is not a front-rower and the third to be called-up despite never having earned a cap under Daniel Hourcade.
Prior players selected from Europe by Ledesma are tight head props Juan Figallo (Saracens), Gastón Córtes (Leicester Tigers), and Ramiro Herrera (Stade Français). Also called-up was hooker Facundo Bosch (Agen) who made his test debut against South Africa in Mendoza.
Galarza’s selection comes a week out from facing France in Lille. The match is to be followed by a game against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 24 and a non-capped match on December 01 against the Barbarians in London.
