Attention Turns to Los Pumas’ Paris Camp

With the 2024 Rugby Championship concluded attention turns to Los Pumas’ Paris camp. Felipe Contepomi’s staff and players will reunite on October 28-30 in Paris, France for a training camp. The three day camp will be preparation for the November Internationals.

 

THE OPPOSITION

Argentina’s 2024 end-of-year tour will see Los Pumas playing against Italy in Udine, Ireland in Dublin and France in Paris in November. The opening match will be historic as the Italian Head Coach is none other than Gonzalo Quesada. He and Contepomi were teammates at Rugby World Cups 1999 and 2003.

Both Contepomi and Quesada have impressed in their rookie seasons in charge of Argentina and Italy respectively. Under Contepomi, Argentina defeated France, Uruguay, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Quesada’s Italy recorded wins over Wales and Scotland and a draw against France. This was followed by road wins over Tonga and Japan.

Ireland and France were the top performers from Europe during the previous Rugby World Cup cycle. Notwithstanding, both teams were eliminated in the Quarter Finals of Rugby World Cup 2023. The exits were bitter for both. Argentina made it to the final four and since then Los Pumas have beaten the teams that knocked France and Ireland out of the World Cup.

 

IN THE HUNT

The 2024 Rugby Championship featured the retirement of Agustín Creevy. This has opened up an opportunity for a hooker. Captain Julián Montoya has Ignacio Ruiz as his understudy. Bautista Bernasconi is positioned as the third choice. The uncapped Bernasconi is likely to be in the Paris training camp.

New players will be considered for tight head. Eduardo Bello is out for the year. His non-involvement against South Africa caused problems. Lucio Sordoni was weak in the scrum against the All Blacks in Auckland. As a result, Pedro Delgado debuted against the World Champions. Options for November include Top 14 tight head props Santiago Medrano and the 39-year-old Francisco Gómez Kodela who has not yet retired.

Second-rower Efraín Elías debuted in the win over the All Blacks before flying to France to begin his career with Toulouse. The position saw Contepomi happy to mix and match players. So much so that Matías Alemano and Lucas Paulos now appear out of favor. Veterans Guido Petti and Tomás Lavanini played second fiddle to Pedro Rubiolo and rookie Franco Molina. In short, Elías is likely for Paris.

Marcos Kremer was the notable missing player from the Rugby Championship Final. He was injured in the win in Santiago del Estero. He returned to Clermont where it was confirmed that he will be fit to play in a matter of weeks. Kremer will thus be fine for the Paris camp.

Two big names sat out the Rugby Championship. N8 Facundo Isa is officially taking the year off while Jerónimo de la Fuente missed the tournament for personal reasons. There are reasons for both to return for November. They have been busy so far the season for Toulon and Perpignan respectively.

The early exit of Santiago Chocobares against South Africa furthers the reason for de la Fuente to return. It also indicates that uncapped Justo Piccardo may be involved in the Paris camp. He first trained with the roster in July.

Wing is clouded. Emiliano Boffelli continues to battle injuries to the extent that Argentina will be planning for November without him. Matías Moroni played both wing and outside center while Matías Orlando was unused. This indicates opportunities for both centers and for wing.

In addition to Piccado, Gerónimo Prisciantelli is an option for inside center. He has played fly half, inside center and fullback for Zebre. His play at fullback Prisciantelli have been particularly noteworthy.

Contepomi’s decision to start Rodrigo Isgró and then pull him off before half-time against South Africa indicates that someone will have an opportunity at the Paris camp. Ignacio Mendy looms as that player. Mendy scored a hat-trick against Uruguay in July.

In addition to Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Benjamín Elizalde and Mateo Soler are likely to be in the frame for Paris. Elizalde debuted for the Bristol Bears this past weekend. He played wing for Bristol on debut but played fullback for Los Pumitas and also outside center for Los Pampas. Soler covers wing and fullback.