Marques returns to Portugal squad for Eagles test

Portugal have named Samuel Marques in their 42-man squad to prepare for their upcoming tests against the USA and Scotland. The goal-kicking scrumhalf was one of the key architects for Os Lobos during the 2023 World Cup qualification series that left the Eagles out in the cold. Despite fast approaching his 36th birthday, Marques remains a first choice player in the French Pro D2.

Other top talents at the disposal of Simon Mannix are uncapped Brive hooker Lucas Da Silva, Montpellier flanker Nicolas Martins, and Stade Français wing Raffaele Storti. Da Silva is one of eight uncapped players selected, among them 21-year-old Albi center Gabriel Aviragnet who is tipped for a bright future.

Valence Romans flyhalf Joris Moura is absent due to club commitments, while outside backs Rodrigo Marta and Vincent Pinto are ruled out with injury. Further absentees include World Cup props Francisco Fernandes and Anthony Alves, flanker David Wallis, and fullback Nuno Sousa Guedes. Midfielder Pedro Bettencourt announced his retirement due to concussion symptoms earlier this year.

Os Lobos are currently ranked 15th according to World Rugby, four spots above the Eagles. The USA test is set for Saturday, November 9, at the Estádio Cidade in Coimbra. A road trip to Edinburgh follows, with Scotland to host at Murrayfield a week later on November 16.

 

PROP
David Costa (Direito) 29 caps
Abel Da Cunha (Agronomia) 6 caps
Diogo Ferreira (Dax, FR) 43 caps
António Machado Santos (Alcobendas, ES) 7 caps
Márcio Pinheiro (Benfica) uncapped
António Prim (Direito) 10 caps
Cody Thomas (Grenoble, FR) 2 caps

HOOKER
Luka Begic (Mont-de-Marsan, FR) 7 caps
Lucas Da Silva (Brive, FR) uncapped
Santiago Lopes (Cascais) uncapped
Pedro Vicente (Agronomia) 7 caps

SECOND ROW
Martim Belo (Cascais) 13 caps
Steevy Cerqueira (Orléans, FR) 16 caps
António Rebelo de Andrade (Agronomia) 2 caps
José Rebelo de Andrade (Agronomia) 22 caps
Duarte Torgal (Direito) 24 caps

BACK ROW
Vasco Baptista (CDUL) 10 caps
Frederico Couto (Benfica) 3 caps
André Cunha (Belenenses) 2 caps
João Granate (Direito) 39 caps
José Madeira (Grenoble, FR) 38 caps
Nicolas Martins (Montpellier, FR) 17 caps
Diego Pinheiro Ruiz (Massy Essonne, FR) 5 caps

SCRUMHALF
Hugo Camacho (Béziers, FR) 7 caps
António Campos (Benfica) uncapped
Enzo Lopes (Bassin D’Arcachon, FR) uncapped
Pedro Lucas (Técnico) 22 caps
Samuel Marques (Béziers, FR) 25 caps

FLYHALF
Hugo Aubry (Béziers, FR) 5 caps
Domingos Cabral (Agronomia) 3 caps
Manuel Vareiro (Direito) 1 cap

MIDFIELD
Tomás Appleton (CDUL) 72 caps
Gabriel Aviragnet (Albi, FR) uncapped
Vasco Leite (Agronomia) uncapped
José Lima (Benfica) 63 caps

WING
Fábio Conceição (CDUL) 2 caps
Lucas Martins (Agen, FR) 4 caps
José Paiva Dos Santos (Belenenses) 6 caps
Sebastião Stilwell (CDUL) uncapped
Raffaele Storti (Stade Français, FR) 27 caps

FULLBACK
Simão Bento (Mont-de-Marsan, FR) 12 caps
Manuel Cardoso Pinto (Agronomia) 39 caps