Woodward Names Three Pumas in World XV

Rugby World Cup 2003 winning Head Coach, Sir Clive Woodward has selected his current World XV. The Englishman has selected his side following the completion of the June Internationals.

Included are players from seven countries with New Zealand contributing five. Argentina comes in second with three players while Australia and England both have two each. France, Georgia and South Africa complete Woodward’s selection with one player each.

Two of the three Argentine players selected played no part in the June Internationals. Instead Juan Imhoff was busy helping Racing 92 win the Top 14 while Marcos Ayerza last played on May 21. Ayerza put in yet another world class season for the Leicester Tigers who were eliminated by Saracens at the Semi Finals stage of the Aviva Premiership.

The third Puma in the mix is Ramiro Herrera who played the two home tests against France but missed out against Italy. Herrera was unable to face the Azzuri due to having been suspended following a red card incident in Super Rugby.

Above all else Woodward’s World XV is a timely reminder of Argentina’s need to rethink player eligibility. At present Ayerza and Imhoff will not be considered for international duty due to them playing in Europe. Argentina’s humiliating home loss this past Saturday saw Los Pumas outplayed. The injection of Ayerza and Imhoff in addition to Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo and Mariano Galarza appears appropriate.