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16 October 2008
Sixteen French-based
players have been named in Argentina’s 29-man squad for
their November internationals against France, Italy and
Ireland.
The French contingent
includes Stade Francais’ Juan Martin Hernandez, who missed
their 63-9 mauling by South Africa during the summer due to
injury.
Hernandez had been in
scintillating form this season with unbeaten leaders Stade
Francais, interchanging between full-back and fly-half with
Lionel Beauxis.
Three Top 14 clubs provide
eight members of the squad between them, with Stade
Francais’ Hernandez, Juan Miguel Leguizamon and Rodrigo
Roncero joined by Toulouse’s Patricio Albacete and Alberto
Vernet Basualdo, and Dax’s Lucas Borges, Frederico Martin
Aramburu and Nicolas Vergallo.
Coach Santiago Phelan has
also named four uncapped players – Agustin Figuerola, Juan
Figallo, Mariano Galarza and Juan Pablo Orlandi - as he
attempts to begin rebuilding the team which so impressed
during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
“This is a good chance to
give the opportunity to young players we believe have the
potential to progress. Juan Figallo was great in the
Under-20 World Cup. He is a complete player. The same goes
for Orlandi, whose form for Argentina A has been very good,
so it’s good for them to join the tour,” said Phelan.
Argentina are due to play
France in Marseille on November 8, Italy in Turin on
November 15 and Ireland on November 22.
Argentina squad:
Eusebio Guinazu (Agen), Horacio Agulla (Brive), Mario
Ledesma (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Agustin Figuerola (CASI),
Rafael Carballo (Castres Olympique), Martin Durand
(Champagnat), Lucas Borges, Federico Martin Aramburu,
Nicolas Vergallo (all Dax), Bernardo Stortoni (Glasgow
Warriors), Gonzalo Tiesi (Harlequins), Santiago Fernandez
(Hindu), Juan Figallo (Jockey Club Salta), Marcos Ayerza
(Leicester Tigers), Felipe Contepomi (Leinster), Miguel
Avramovic (Montauban), Rimas Alvarez (Perpignan), Alvaro
Galindo (Racing Metro), Juan Pablo Orlandi (Rovigo), Juan
Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks), Nicolas Bruzzone
(SIC), Francisco Leonelli (Saracens), Juan Martin Hernandez,
Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Rodrigo Roncero (all Stade
Francais), Patricio Albacete, Alberto Vernet Basualdo (both
Stade Toulouse), Esteban Lozada (Toulon), Mariano Galarza
(Universitario La Plata).
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