Argentina squad: Lions slayers return as Felipe Contepomi boosted by Top 14 stars but snubs veteran for 2025 Rugby Championship
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi (inset) and fly-half Tomas Albornoz.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has brought in several experienced players for their upcoming Rugby Championship matches on home soil against the All Blacks.
Contepomi’s 34-man squad has a healthy mix of experienced and youthful players and will be captained by veteran hooker Julian Montoya, who recently joined Top 14 outfit Pau from Premiership club Leicester Tigers.
Meanwhile, Toulouse duo Juan Cruz Mallía and Santiago Chocobares, Clermont pair Marcos Kremer and Bautista Delguy, Mateo Carreras (Bayonne) and Ignacio Ruiz (Perpignan) have received their first call-up of the year.
However, there is no place in Argentina‘s squad for veteran second-rower Tomas Lavanini, who was recently released by Lyon ahead of the new Top 14 season.
Contepomi has also been boosted by the return of Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Franco Molina and Joel Sclavi, who all started in Los Pumas’ memorable 28-24 victory over the British & Irish Lions in June but were rested during the two-Test series with England in Argentina in July.
Key trio ruled out through injury
In other news, Benjamín Grondona, Emiliano Boffelli and Thomas Gallo were not be considered due to injury.
Argentina kick off their Rugby Championship campaign with back-to-back fixtures against the All Blacks in Cordoba and Buenos Aires on August 16 and 23 respectively.
Contepomi is looking forward to the challenge which awaits his troops in the Rugby Championship and is keen to build on their 2024 campaign when they finished in third place and secured victories against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia for the first time in the competition’s history.
“The Rugby Championship presents us with a huge challenge as a team, and we’re eager to reconnect after the three weeks of the July window,” he said.
“Hosting the All Blacks in our home country is always special, and we’re excited to face them for the first time in Córdoba and to meet them again in Vélez.”
He also extended a special thank you to Argentina’s supporters.
“We wanted to sincerely thank everyone who came to training, the hotel, and the stadium. Your support is very important to us,” said Contepomi.
“We’ll see you again soon in Córdoba and Buenos Aires.”
Argentina squad for the Rugby Championship
Forwards: Julián Montoya (c), Bautista Bernasconi, Joaquín Oviedo, Francisco Coria Marcheti, Lucas Paulos, Nicolás D’Amorim, Guido Petti, Pedro Delgado, Pedro Rubolo, Juan Martín Gonzalez, Ignacio Ruiz, Santiago Grondona, Joel Sclavi, Marcos Kremer, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Pablo Matera, Mayco Vivas, Franco Molina, Boris Wenger
Backs: Tomás Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Simón Benitez Cruz, Rodrigo Isgro, Mateo Carreras, Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Carreras, Ignacio Mendy, Santiago Chocobares, Agustín Moyano, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Benjamín Elizalde, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Bautista Delguy
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