ARGENTINA WILL BE without many of their best-known players for the two-Test series against Ireland after head coach Daniel Hourcade named a squad of mainly domestic-based players.
The likes of Toulon’s Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, Racing Métro’s Juan Martín Hernández and Juan Imhoff, as well as Lyon back row Juan Manuel Leguizamón and Toulouse lock Patricio Albacete are not included in the selection.
There is room for Bordeaux’s creative out-half Nico Sanchez, Oyonnax’s hard-working fullback Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino and Super Rugby duo Manuel Carizza [Stormers] and Matias Diaz [Highlanders].
20-year-old wonderkid Santiago Cordero is also among the 31 names, having lit up last year’s Junior World Championship and gone on to make his senior debut in the 2013 November internationals. The side-stepping back three player is one to watch out for.
Argentina face Ireland in Resistencia on the 7th of June, before a second Test in Tucumán on the 14th [both games kick off at 19.40 Irish time]. Los Pumas then go on to face Scotland in Córdoba on the 20th.
Ireland are the best team in Europe and one of the best in the world, so it will be very hard,” said head coach Hourcade, who took over after Santiago Phelan resigned last October.
“Scotland are not performing well but have players that play with the best clubs in Europe. We have been demanding for years to play at the highest level and we have to enjoy this, learn, and try to impose ourselves. I am excited and eager to play these games.”
Los Pumas have beaten Ireland seven times in 18 meetings, drawing once and losing on 10 occasions. Improving that win rate may be difficult against the strong squad that Joe Schmidt has selected for the upcoming Tests.
Argentina squad to face Ireland and Scotland:
Backs (13): Santiago Cordero (Regatas Bella Vista), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic), Jeronimo De la Fuente (Duendes RC), Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino (Oyonnax), Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias (Asociacion Alumni), Martin Landajo (Club Athetic), Manuel Montero (Pucara), Matias Moroni (CUBA), Ramiro Moyano (Lince Tucuman), Matias Orlando (Huirapuca Tucuman), Javier Rojas (Universitario Tucuman), Nicolas Sanchez (Bordeaux), Joaquin Tuculet (unattached).
Forwards (18): Antonio Ahualli de Chazal (San Isidro Club), Matias Alemanno (La Tablada), Gabriel Ascárate (Natacion y Gimnasia), Rodrigo Baez (Liceo RC), Manuel Carizza (Western Stormers), Matias Cortese (Liceo RC), Tomas De la Vega (Club Universitario), Matias Diaz (Highlanders), Ramiro Herrera (Castres), Santiago Iglesias Valdez (Universitario Tucuman), Facundo Isa (Santiago Lawn Tennis), Tomas Lavanini (Hindú Club), Benjamin Macome (unattached), Julian Montoya (Club Newman), Lucas Noguera Paz (Lince Tucuman), Javier Ortega Desio (Estudiantes), Bruno Postiglioni (La Plata), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (La Plata).
