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Benetton have re-signed Argentine props Thomas Gallo and Ivan Nemer. Both players are now contracted to the Treviso-based Pro 14 side until June 30, 2014.
21-year-old Gallo comes from Tucumán. He is a product of Universitario de Tucumán. He developed through the regional high performance center and was selected to play in the 2019 Junior World Championship. At the tournament he featured in five matches. He played against Australia, Fiji, France, South Africa, and Wales.
22-year-old Nemer is also a loose head prop. From Mar del Plata, Nemer is a product of Bigua Rugby Club. He began playing for the club at the age of 4. He subsequently played for Sporting, also in Mar del Plata. He was identified early and developed in the local high performance center. He played for Argentina at u18 and u20 levels.
Benetton is presently home to five Argentine players. One of them is Juan Ignacio Brex. The mid-fielder from Córdoba is presently involved in the Six Nations. He made his test debut for Italy against France and earned his second cap against England. His first cap was at inside center and his second at outside center.
Both Thomas Gallo and Ivan Nemer are also eligible for Italy. Like Brex, they qualify via family ancestry. Like Brex, Gallo and Nemer also carry Italian passports. All five men have represented Argentina at u20 level.
The new contracts will keep Gallo and Nemer in Italy until after the next Rugby World Cup. They will be able to play for Argentina and Italy. It is the latter which is probable.
