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Argentina will be forced into changes for the November Internationals. Three forwards have been ruled out of the matches against England, Scotland, and Wales in the UK.
The trio all suffered injuries while playing for Los Pumas in the Rugby Championship. Guido Petti is out for two months with a knee injury. He was a regular in the 23 and was expected to feature heavily in the November Internationals. With him out there will be a recall for Lucas Paulos and potentially an opportunity for a new player.
Petti was a replacement against South Africa in Durban. He left replaced Pablo Matera only to be injured himself. Matera will be fine to play for Argentina in November. Another player hurt in the match is Mayco Vivas. The loose head prop will miss the November tour with a broken left forearm.
Vivas’ spot on the roster could go to a number of players. Four players who played loose head for Argentina in 2021 are yet to be capped this year. Ignacio Calles joined the roster in Durban and is thus the likely player to be selected. Others in the frame are Facundo Gigena and Rodrigo Martínez. The latter is fit again for the Wasps.
No8 Rodrigo Bruni missed the test match in Durban. He was on the roster but forced out after he was injured playing in the previuos match in Buenos Aires. He had an operation on his right foot and is undergoing recovery. He will return to play for Brive in the Top 14.
The loss of Bruni will most likely see Pablo Matera remaining at No8 and Facundo Isa potentially being used in the role more so than at flanker. The roster may also contain Joaquín Oviedo who was on the roster for the Rugby Championship but did not play.
Additional players names are unlikely to be in contention for the No8 position. There are Argentines playing in France and Italy that could in theory be selected though the chances are low. Examples are Tomás Bernasconi, Bautista Pedemonte Santiago Portillo and Guido Volpi.
Argentina will play three test matches as part of the 2022 November Internationals. All will be in the UK at the headquarters of England, Scotland and Wales rugby.
