Montoya, Ortega Desio Reach 50 Caps for Argentina

Forwards Julián Montoya and Javier Ortega Desio will reach 50 caps for Argentina on Saturday. They are to do so against France with Ortega Desio starting the match at no 8 and Montoya playing as the replacement hooker. They will be the 34th and 35th Pumas to reach the mark respectively.

They quickly follow teammates Matías Alemanno and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro who reached 50 tests against Australia last month. Alemanno is now up to 52 caps while Tetaz Chaparro is to be tied by Montoya and Ortega Desio in addition to Mauricio Reggiardo and Leonardo Senatore.

Montoya and Desio Ortega both played in RWC 2015 in support roles. Montoya was the understudy toAgustín Creevy while Desio Ortega covered Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. With Mariano Galarza being suspended the flanker also covered lock, doing so from the bench against Georgia.

The pair are now well on track to play in Japan 2019. The inclusion of both on the roster is a formality. Both will likely go into the RWC with around 54 test caps.

The highest capped active player is Creevy. The former captain is now the 6th most capped Puma in history. He will join Head Coach Mario Ledesma with 84 caps should he also face Scotland next weekend.

Above Ledesma are four players – Juan Manuel Leguizamón (85), Rolando Martín (85), Lisandro Arbizu (86) and Felipe Contepomi (87).

Hugo Porta was the first Argentine player to reach 50 caps. Having made his debut against Chile in Montevideo on October 10 1971, he reached the milestone on September 17 1985. His 50th test came against Uruguay in Asunción, Paraguay. It took the legendary Porta a staggering 14 years to reach his half-century.

The following table lists the players already including Saturday’s match. It assumes that Montoya will receive game time as a replacement.