Los Pumas Return to Train with 14 from Europe

Argentina has announced the return of activity for Los Pumas. Head Coach Mario Ledesma has named a long-list of 59 players, 14 of which play in Europe. The players are to prepare in their respective locations, doing so in a dynamic method wherein each player will train alone.

The training will begin next week. It is to officially be the start of the path to RWC 2023. The global circumstances of covid-19 and the rebirth of Los Pumas following a disappointing RWC in Japan are at the heart of the policy.

Unlike at RWC 2019, Ledesma has not prioritized Jaguares over those who play for foreign clubs. As such there are 14 players among the 59 who play abroad. The notable size also comes with the non-selection of a number of players including forwards Gastón Cortes, Diego Fortuny, Santiago García Botta, Mariano Galarza, Lucas Noguera Paz and Tomás Baravalle; and backs Julián Domínguez, Juan Imhoff, Martín Landajo, Manuel Montero, and Axel Muller.

The 59 players will be monitored individually by Ledesma and his support staff. It is unknown when there will be collective training nor is it confirmed as to when Los Pumas will play a match.

Pablo Matera remains the team captain. He joined Stade Français after RWC 2019. He is joined by teammate Nicolás Sánchez on the roster and there are also places for four ‘new’ names. Props Ignacio Calles, Facundo Gigena and Francisco Gómez Kodela will all have their first opportunity to earn a cap under Ledesma. So too will fly half Patricio Fernández.

There is also no shortage of domestic new names. Of note are fly half Domingo Miotti; center Santiago Chocobares; fullback Juan Bautista Daireaux; tight head Joel Sclavi; and back-rowers Francisco Gorrissen, Santiago Grondona and Juan Bautista Pedemonte.

 

ARGENTINA

LH PROP
Ignacio Calles (Pau, FR)
Javier Díaz (Jaguares)
Facundo Gigena (Leicester Tigers, UK)
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Jaguares)
Federico Wegrzyn (Ceibos)
Mayco Vivas (Jaguares)

HOOKER
Facundo Bosch (La Rochelle, FR)
Agustín Creevy (Jaguares)
Julián Montoya (Jaguares)
Santiago Socino (Jaguares)

TH PROP
Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon, FR)
Ramiro Herrera (La Rochelle, FR)
Santiago Medrano (Jaguares)
Enrique Pieretto (Exeter Chiefs, UK)
Joel Sclavi (Jaguares)
Lucio Sordoni (Jaguares)
Juan Pablo Zeiss (Ceibos)

LOCK
Matías Alemanno (Jaguares)
Ignacio Calas (Jaguares)
Rodrigo Fernández Criado (Ceibos)
Marcos Kremer (Jaguares)
Tomás Lavanini (Leicester Tigers, UK)
Lucas Paulos (Jaguares)
Guido Petti (Jaguares)

BACK ROW
Rodrigo Bruni (Jaguares)
Francisco Gorrissen (Jaguares)
Santiago Grondona (Jaguares)
Facundo Isa (Toulon, FR)
Tomás Lezana (Jaguares)
Pablo Matera (Stade Français, FR)
Santiago Montagner (Ceibos)
Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares)
Juan Bautista Pedemonte (Jaguares)

SCRUMHALF
Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares)
Tomás Cubelli (Jaguares)
Felipe Ezcurra (Jaguares)
Gonzalo García (Ceibos)

FLYHALF
Tomás Albornoz (Ceibos)
Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (Jaguares)
Patricio Fernández (Lyon, FR)
Domingo Miotti (Jaguares)
Nicolás Sánchez (Stade Français, FR)
Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres, FR)

CENTER
Juan Pablo Castro (Ceibos)
Santiago Chocobares (Jaguares)
Jerónimo de la Fuente (Jaguares)
Juan Cruz Mallía (Jaguares)
Lucas Mensa (Ceibos)
Matías Moroni (Jaguares)
Matías Orlando (Jaguares)

WING
Sebastián Cancelliere (Jaguares)
Santiago Carreras (Jaguares)
Santiago Cordero (Bordeaux Bègles, FR)
Bautista Delguy (Jaguares)
Ramiro Moyano (Toulon, FR)

FULLBACK
Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares)
Mateo Carreras (Jaguares)
Juan Bautista Daireaux (Ceibos)
Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares)