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Mario Ledesma has moved beyond RWC 2019. His team fell short in Japan, being eliminated in the group stage with wins over Tonga and the USA but losses against France and England.
Covid-19 means that the new era on the field will be delayed. Off the field the coaching regime is working on installing their regime to kick-start Los Pumas in the RWC 2019-2023 cycle.
Ledesma named a roster of 59 players. The squad has domestic-based players from Los Jaguares and Los Ceibos as well as 14 who play their rugby in Europe.
Absent from RWC 2019 are Juan Figallo and Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Both players retired from international duty following the competition. On the flip side of the coin, Ledesma has a notable contingent of new blood on the roster.
One of them is Patricio Fernández, a player with two caps to his name against Brazil and Chile. His departure from Argentina to France saw him playing Top 14 rugby for Clermont at the age of 20. He now plays for Lyon.
Also based in France is Ignacio Calles. The loose head prop joins Jaguares’ Joel Sclavi as two props to have played for Pau on the roster. Both are uncapped as is Facundo Gigena who left Los Jaguares to play for the Leicester Tigers. He developed notably in the English Premiership in recent season.
Jaguares flanker Santiago Grondona is also uncapped. He has one appearance for his country, an uncapped game against Barbarians.
UNCAPPED
Tomás Albornoz, Ignacio Calas, Ignacio Calles, Mateo Carreras, Juan Pablo Castro, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Bautista Daireaux, Rodrigo Fernández Criado, Patricio Fernández, Gonzalo García, Facundo Gigena, Francisco Gorrissen, Santiago Grondona, Domingo Miotti, Santiago Montagner, Lucas Paulos, Juan Bautista Pedemonte, Joel Sclavi and Federico Wegrzyn.
