A major blow for the Argentina sees Santiago Montagner out until 2019. The back-rower suffered ruptured cruciate ligaments and will not play again this year.
Requiring an estimated recovery period of six months, Montagner will miss out on not only further opportunities with the Argentina XV this year but potentially higher honors.
The Alumni player has been among the top performers for the Argentina XV in 2018. He was being groomed as a potential Jaguar for 2019 with RWC 2019 even within his reach. The aging players currently involved in Super Rugby for the Argentine side face an uphill challenge to reach Japan 2019.
Montagner was involved in the Sudamericano 6 Naciones A, starting at no 8 against the Uruguay XV in the final round. He was forced off injured at half time with Santiago Portillo being his replacement. The injury ruled him out of the Nations Cup.