Argentina Head Coach Michael Cheika has confirmed his squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with a third of the 33-man squad coming from the Gallagher Premiership.
Los Pumas begin their World Cup campaign in Pool D against England, with the run-in with Steve Borthwick’s side taking place on Saturday 9th September in Marseille. Undeniably contenders to top the Pool, Argentina’s preparations took them to recently record an impressive victory over Eddie Jones’ Australia, and narrowly lose by just one point to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby Championship.
There are eleven stars of the Gallagher Premiership in the Argentina squad, so England fans can expect to see many familiar faces when the two sides meet in their RWC opener. Cheika has selected four players from Newcastle Falcons, as Matias Moroni, Mateo Carreras, Pedro Rubiolo and Eduardo Bello all make the squad-list.
Sale Sharks hooker Augustine Creevy is included, after he made his centurion test match appearance for Los Pumas against South Africa. He’s joined by his former London Irish understudy Ignacio Ruiz, and Leicester Tigers front rower Julian Montoya as the three selected hookers. Gloucester halfback Santiago Carreras is also included, and is expected to support for veteran fly half Nicholas Sanchez’ fourth World Cup.
Forwards: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Joel Sclavi, Thomas Gallo, Eduardo Bello, Julian Montoya, Agustin Creevy, Ignacio Ruiz, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pedro Rubiolo, Rodrigo Bruni
Backs: Gonzalo Bertranou, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Moroni, Emiliano Boffelli, Juan Cruz Mallia, Mateo Carreras, Juan Imhoff, Rodrigo Isgro, Martin Bogado.