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Lucas Duque will return to the Brazil lineup for the first time in nearly a year when the Tupis face the Argentina XV in Buenos Aires on Saturday during the second round of the Sudamericano 6 Naciones ‘A’ tournament. ‘Tanque’ has been sighted often with the team since but as team doctor rather than player. The 34-year-old has now recovered from injury and is one of four players who join the squad this week.
Also returning is experienced second row Lucas Piero who missed the record-setting win over Chile on the weekend. São José flyhalf Rafael ‘Grilo’ Morales is recalled after three years in the international wilderness and uncapped France-based midfielder Valentin Garcia is named having been an unused replacement in the same contest at the Estádio Martins Pereira in March.
Dropping out are Pedro Bengalò, Daniel Lima, Stefano Giantorno, and Robert Tenório. Retained are 66-cap veteran Joao Luiz da Ros, new cap Matheus Claudio, and English-born scrumhalf Will Broderick.
Saturday’s match is not a full test and will not count towards World Rugby Rankings nor will caps be awarded. Brazil lost by a respectable 28-8 to the heavily-favored Argentines at São José dos Campos during the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship.
FORWARDS
Lucas Abud (Los Troncos), Wilton Rebolo (Bandeirantes), Matheus Rocha (Jacareí), Caíque Silva (São José), Jardel Vettorato (Farrapos), Yan Rosetti (capt., CUBA, AR), Endy Willian (Curitiba), Mauricio Canterle (Farrapos), Gabriel Paganini (Bandeirantes), Lucas Piero (Desterro), Arthur Bergo (SPAC), Matheus Claudio (Jacareí), João Luiz da Ros (Desterro), Michael Moraes (Curitiba)
BACKS
Will Broderick (Bandeirantes), Lucas Duque (São José), Rafael Morales (São José), Josh Reeves (Bandeirantes), Moisés Duque (São José), Valentin Garcia (Sud Grésivaudan, FR), Felipe Sancery (São José), Ariel Rodrigues (Jacareí), De Wet van Niekerk (Poli), Lucas Tranquez (SPAC)
