Argentines Shine in Europe

The return from the November Internationals to clubs saw no shortage of Argentines in action this weekend in Europe. There were noteworthy performances including tries in the English Premiership, the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Top 14.

Santiago Carreras was a stand-out for Gloucester, scoring 20 points. The cheery-and-whites were 25-17 away winners over the Northampton Saints. Carreras scored two tries from fullback. Matías Alemanno was a replacement second-rower.

Pumas flanker Santiago Grondona was a try scorer for the Bristol Bears. Grondona crossed in a move that also involved USA Eagles fly half AJ MacGinty. Bristol were 48-24 away winners over the Harlequins. Rodrigo Isgró played right wing for the London side. The Harlequies also had Titi Lamositele who defected from his native USA to Samoa. During the match, Santiago Grondona was joined by Benjamín Grondona and Benjamín Elizalde as replacements.

In Scotland, Agustín Creevy scored his first URC try. The retired Pumas hooker went over for two tries for Benetton in what was a 50-33 road defeat against Edinburgh. The match saw three other Argentines starting: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Enzo Avaca and Ignacio Mendy. Scrum-half Lautaro Bazán Vélez debuted as a replacement.

Gerónimo Prisciantelli captained Zebre to a 22-17 win over the Ospreys in Italy. The uncapped Prisciantelli trained with Los Pumas ahead of the November Internationals and was on the roster for the match with Italy. Bautista Stavile flanker flanker and Gonzalo García returned from Los Pumas to be Zebre’s replacement scrum-half.

Fellow Argentine loose head prop Rodrigo Martínez started for the Dragons in the East Wales URC derby. The Dragons fell 31-23 to Cardiff. Also in the URC, Santiago Cordero started for Connacht in Ireland. Connacht fell 28-14 against South Africa opposition, the Bulls.

In France, Perpignan fell to a 22-13 home defeat against Toulon. The only Catalan try was scored by Argentine N8 Joaquín Oviedo. The Córdoba back-rower was joined by two other Pumas in the starting formation. Jerónimo de la Fuente played inside center and Ignacio Ruiz was hooker.

Mateo Carreras was a try scorer for Bayonne against Stade Français. Bayonne won the contest 21-13 at home. Carreras was joined by Pumas Lucas Paulos and Facundo Bosch in the starting lineup. They played second-row and hooker respectively. Francisco Gómez Kodela was a replacement for the Parisians.

Other Pumas featured in wins. Bordeaux won a dour match against Montpellier. The home side were 9-6 winners. Guido Petti was a replacement. His longterm Pumas colleague, Tomás Lavanini was a replacement in Lyon’s 29-15 loss against Pau. Ignacio Calles started at loose head prop.

Lucio Sorodoni played tight head prop for Racing 92 who fell 21-17 at home to Toulouse. Santiago Chocobares played inside center. Benjamin Urdapilleta converted six tries for Clermont who hammered Castres 54-10. Marcos Kremer played flanker.

The big story, however, was in La Rochelle. The home side fell 23-14 to basement side Vannes. Puma Bautista Pedemonte scored a first-half try for Vannes. The Top 14 newcomers can move off the bottom with a win next round provided Lyon lose again. At present Vannes have 18 points while Lyon are on 18 points and three others are on 19.