Rugby Championship 2021: Argentina Missing XV

Argentina’s roster for the 2021 Rugby Championship contains experienced players and newcomers. There were a number of names absent from the list. This article identifies who they are to determine a Rugby Championship 2021: Argentina Missing XV.

When compared to the roster from the 2020 Tri Nations, there are eleven names missing. They are forwards José Luis González, Ignacio Calles, Ignacio Calas, Lucio Sordoni, Mayco Vivas, Federico Wegrzyn, Santiago Grondona and backs Tomás Albornoz, Juan Imhoff, Lucas Mensa and Ramiro Moyano.

Multiple factors explain why the above names are not selected for the 2021 tournament. Some players are sidelined with injuries, others were wider roster options who have recently joined teams abroad and some are simply out of favor.

Juan Imhoff is missing for personal reasons. He was named on the rosted but opted out. The same applies to Castres fly half Benjamín Urdapilleta. Perpignan fly half Patricio Fernández was forced out on Wednesday. He suffered a torn pectoral muscle in France this week. Agustín Creevy was outside of the four hookers that Mario Ledesma wanted on his roster.

There are also returning players. Tomás Lavanini and Matías Moroni missed the 2020 Tri Nations and Emiliano Boffelli and Matías Orlando were forced out of the 2021 July Internationals. Sebastián Cancelliere and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla last played for Argentina in 2019.

Missing names can be identified from leagues around the world. This is demonstrated in the Rugby Championship 2021: Argentina Missing XV displayed below. It features Americas Rugby News’ top pick per position that Argentina will be without in the upcoming tournament. As noted they are missing through injury, personal choice or selection.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2021: ARGENTINA MISSING XV

1 – Mayco Vivas (unattached)
2 – Agustín Creevy (London Irish, UK)
3 – Lucio Sordoni (Melbourne Rebels, AU)
4 – Mariano Galarza (Bayonne, FR)
5 – Lucas Paulos (Brive, FR)
6 – Santiago Grondona (unattached)
7 – Lucas Santa Cruz (El Salvador, ES)
8 – Juan Bautista Pedemonte (Unattached)
9 – Gonzalo García (Valorugby Emilia)
10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres, FR)
11 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92, FR)
12 – Lucas Mensa (Mont de Marsan, FR)
13 – Axel Muller (Brive, FR)
14 – Julián Domínguez (NOLA Gold, US)
15 – Ramiro Moyano (Edinburgh, UK)