Barbarians with Two Pumas to face Wales

The Barbarians roster has been named for the upcoming international match against Wales in Cardiff. Two Pumas have been named on the roster: scrum-half Lautaro Bazán Vélez and fly half Nicolás Sánchez. Both featured for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2023.

Bazán Vélez was Michael Cheika’s option as the understudy scrum-half. The former Pumas 7’s player was the replacement 9 for Los Pumas in their opening match against England in Marseille. He was also a replacement against Chile also also against Japan in Nantes. He also featured in the Quarter Final against Wales, Semi Final against New Zealand and the Bronze Final against England.

 

Bazán Vélez enhanced his reputation at the World Cup while Nicolás Sánchez featured in his fourth and this included a crucial contribution in a second Quarter Final win. Eight years on from his heroics against Ireland in Cardiff, Wales el Tucumano scored the match sealing try against Wales in Marseille.

Sánchez missed the first game for Argentina but was involved in the rest. He was replacement in the pool  matches against Samoa and against Japan while he started against Chile. That match saw him becoming the second ever Puma to 100 test caps. Sánchez then featured in Argentina’s three play-off’s matches.

 

The Barbarians roster contains players who featured in and who missed the Rugby World Cup. Former Welsh players Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric will have the opportunity of playing against their former test team. Michael Hooper is notably included after his controversial omission by Eddie Jones.

 

BARBARIANS

FORWARDS
Asafo Aumua (New Zealand), Joe Moody (New Zealand), Peni Ravai (Fiji), Angus Bell (Australia), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Rob Leota (Australia), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Tom Hooper (Australia), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Michael Hooper (Australia), Api Ratuniyarawa (Fiji), Rob Valetini (Australia), Tevita Ikanivere (Fiji).

BACKS
Simione Kuruvoli (Fiji), Lautaro Bazán Vélez (Argentina), Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina), Izaia Perese (Australia), Selestino Ravutaumada (Fiji), Len Ikitau (Australia), Ilaisa Droasese (Fiji), Ben Donaldson (Australia), Andrew Kellaway (Australia), Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand)