Argentina Players in Pro 14 – All-Time XV

Players have been exported from Argentina to all corners of the professional rugby world. This includes to member unions of the Pro 14. The following selection is Argentina’s a all-time XV of players who have played in the competition.

 

1 – Augusto Alluri (Edinburgh, Benetton Treviso)
The Tucumán prop was never a big name but proved more than useful for both Edinburgh and Benetton Treviso in the Pro 12. Capable of playing both sides of the scrum, Allori won two caps for the Pumas in 2001, against Paraguay and Chile, but never again achieved international honours. Solid and dependable, he spent many seasons with Treviso playing in the Heineken Cup when they were still part of the Italian domestic league, and now plays for Mogliano in the Eccellenza.

2 – Tomás Baravalle (Benetton Treviso)
Having impressed for the Argentina XV, Tomás Baravalle took up an offer from Benetton Treviso in 2017. His move came with a big line for hooker at Los Jaguares and has proven to have been a success. The Rosario hooker has made 38 appearances in the Pro 14 and is certain to have many more. He is attached to Argentina, but carries an Italian passport. Additional opportunities with Los Pumas are possible.

3 – Eduardo Bello (Zebre)
Another player to succeed in the Pro 14 after having limited opportunities at Jaguares is Eduardo Bello. Since joining Zebre in 2017, Bello has made 43 appearances in the Pro 14. He is both a former Argentina u20s and Argentina XV representative. Bello is also still very young and is developing the old-fashioned way. In comparison, props at Jaguares continue to be rushed through the system with mixed results.

4 – Esteban Lozada (Edinburgh)
After signing a three year contract with Toulon following his appearance at the 2007 World Cup with the Pumas, Lozada moved to Edinburgh in the Pro 12 in a bid to receive more game time. His decision saw him making 25 league appearances before returning to France for a season with Agen. The hard working lock forward played one further season with Wasps in England and has since been seen as a commentator with Sky Sports.

5 – Tomás Vallejos Cinalli (Benetton Treviso, Scarlets)
One of Argentina’s most well-traveled players is Tomás Vallejos Cinalli. Having impressed for the Harlequins he made the roster for RWC 2011. His test career saw him earning six caps, remarkably the same number as the total number of professional league he played in. He played in both Italy and Wales for Pro 14 teams, doing so from 2012-2015.

6 – Tomás Leonardí (Edinburgh)
Having impressed first with the Pampas and then off the bench in the inaugural Rugby Championship in 2013, Leonardí moved to South Africa to play Super Rugby with the Kings in 2013. The SIC back-rower’s arrival in Scotland came soon after and he enjoyed two solid seasons at Edinburgh. He signed with Toulouse as a medical joker for the World Cup but made no appearances, and is now headed back to Super Rugby with Japanese expansion side the Sunwolves.

7 – Guido Volpi (Ospreys)
Guido Volpi joining the Ospreys was historic. He did what no other man had done before, he was the first Argentine player to play for the Swansea-based Welsh region. The back-rower joined the Ospreys in 2018 from Narbonne. He made his Pro14 debut in September 2018.

8 – Gonzalo Padró (Benetton Treviso)
Tucumán’s Gonzalo Padre enjoyed a lengthily professional rugby career in Italy and France. For fifteen years he played in the countries with some of this time being in the Pro 14. He was at his best in the 2011-2012 season when he made 17 appearances for Benetton Treviso in the competition.

9 – Lucio López Fleming (Edinburgh)
Salta’s Lucio López Fleming earned five caps for Argentina but it was Los Pumas 7’s where he left a lasting impression. It was from there that Edinburgh contracted the northern Argentine player. He played for the Scottish side in 2006-2007 and made 12 appearances in what was then a twelve team competition involving professional teams from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

10 – Felipe Contepomi (Leinster)
Among the greats, undoubtedly the choice at number one is the most-capped Puma of all time. Playing for Irish province Leinster, the star flyhalf or inside centre was the top point scorer in the 2005-06 and 2008-09 Celtic League seasons, as well as the 2005-06 Heineken Cup. He captured the Celtic League title in 2007 and added the team’s first ever European Cup in 2009. He then left for Toulon, and after four years in France he returned to Argentina in 2013, finally retiring a year later. Without question, Felipe Contepomi is the greatest Pro 12 player from the Americas.

11 – Lucas González Amorosino (Cardiff Blues, Munster)
Having been a star on the sevens circuit, González Amorosino was snapped up by the Leicester Tigers with whom he spent two seasons before coming into his own at Montpellier. He moved to Oyonnax in 2013 before starting his Pro 12 career in late 2014. Along with Tuculet, he made a positive impression at the Blues. Despite rumours that he would be joining the Jaguares following the World Cup, he instead signed a three-month deal with Munster and after a good start could well have his contract extended.

12 – Francisco Leonelli (Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors)
Far from being a household name, the Pumas winger performed admirably in the Pro 12. Born in Bolívia, Leonelli grew up in Argentina and went through the club system before achieving higher honors and subsequently playing professional rugby abroad. He played for both existing Scottish rugby teams before moving to Aviva Premiership club Saracens. As a professional player he played a lot of rugby in the centers. Hence, his inclusion in this position. It comes ahead of Pumas Gabriel Ascárate and Juan Pablo Socino who also both played in Scotland.

13 – Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Treviso)
Former Argentine academy player, Juan Ignacio Brex is likely to be playing for Italy shortly. The mid-fielder has played for the Argentina XV, but after playing for Italy 7’s he can now represented the southern European country. He has been playing for Benetton Treviso since 2017 and previously played for another Italian side, Viadana from 2015.

14 – Federico Aramburú (Glasgow Warriors)
A Puma representative at the 2007 World Cup, Aramburú moved to Scotland after six years in France where he played in the Top 14 for Biarritz, Perpignan, and Dax. Comfortable on the wing or at centre, he won the Top 14 twice with Biarritz and captained Dax. His two seasons in Scotland were the most productive as he played 31 Pro 12 games and became a crowd favorite. His tackle on Jamie Roberts caught everyone by surprise.

15 – Bernardo Stortoni (Glasgow Warriors)
With Argentina missing 31 players to club duty, the country’s draw against the British & Irish Lions in 2005 was truly remarkable. At fullback that evening in Cardiff was Stortoni, a second division player in England for Bristol at the time. His prior experiences at Narbonne and Rotherham were followed by 96 appearances for the Glasgow Warriors. A mesmeric counter-attacker, ‘Bernie’ was even called upon to captain the team on occasion. He departed at the age of 34 while he continued to hold down a starting spot in the team.