Five European-based players, two potential debutants named in Argentina squad to face All Blacks

Five European-based players have been named in Mario Ledsema’s 30-man Argentina squad to face the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship opener in Buenos Aires next weekend.

Toulon No. 8 Facundo Isa is included in the national set-up for the first time since early 2017 following his departure from the Jaguares for the Top 14 in France.

The 25-year-old isn’t the only member of the squad who has returned after being exiled from the national side since leaving South America two years ago, with Exeter Chiefs wing Santiago Cordero named in the outside backs as he looks to earn his first test cap since October 2017.

Propping pair Juan Figallo of Saracens and Ramiro Herrera of Stade Francais are also included after featuring for the Pumas last year.

Their presence in the squad bolsters Argentina’s strong front row stocks, with Jaguares quintet Augustin Creevy, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Mayco Vivas all featured.

The fifth offshore-based player is Herrera’s Stade Francais teammate Nicolas Sanchez, who joins Joaquin Diaz Bonilla as the only two first-fives in the team.

Ledsema had previously named a sixth European-based player in his extended 46-man pre-World Cup squad, but Castres pivot Benjamin Urdapilleta has been excluded from the condensed squad due to injury.

The vast majority of the remainder of the side is composed of Jaguares players, including 53-test lock Matias Alemmano, who has been named despite missing most of the Super Rugby season.

Also included are uncapped duo Lucas Mensa and Manuel Montero.

The midfielder and winger have been playing for the Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship, and are the only Argentine-based players in the squad who do not play for the Jaguares.

30-man Argentina squad to face All Blacks:

FORWARDS

Matías Alemanno, Agustín Creevy, Juan Figallo, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Tomás Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Tomás Lezana, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julián Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Mayco Vivas.

BACKS

Emiliano Boffelli, Sebastián Cancelliere, Santiago Cordero, Tomás Cubelli, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Lucas Mensa, Manuel Montero, Matías Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Nicolás Sánchez, Joaquín Tuculet.

In other news: