Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has included four overseas-based players in his squad for this weekend’s Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand.
With the team’s Super Rugby squad, the Jaguares, making it all the way to the Super Rugby final this year, Ledesma strengthened his Pumas line up with Stade France flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, Toulon loose-forward Facundo Isa, yster-wing Santiago Cordero, who also plays in France and Saracens front-rower Juan Figallo.
Ledesma, though, left out 31-year-old wing-cum-fullback Juan Imhoff, who plays for Racing Metro.
The Pumas relaxed their rule not to play overseas-based players this year and with these veterans, effectively star players for them, they will be looking to build on the success of their franchise team.
Argentina host New Zealand at 8.05pm this Saturday.
Forwards:
Matias Alemanno, Agustin Creevy (captain), Juan Figallo, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Mayco Vivas
Backs:
Emiliano Boffelli, Sebastian Cancelliere, Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Lucas Mensa, Manuel Montero, Matias Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Nicolas Sanchez, Joaquin Tuculet