photo: Gaspafotos / SLAR

Argentina XV add Juan Pablo Castro for tour to Portugal and Georgia

The Argentina XV have added Juan Pablo Castro to their roster. The Argentine next-of-XV will tour Europe next month. Non-capped matches will take place against Portugal and Georgia. Castro’s inclusion comes following the changes affecting Matías Moroni.

Moroni was named on the Argentina XV’s roster last week. On Monday this changes with him being added to Los Pumas in place of Santiago Chocobares who is out injured and will miss all of 2022 for Argentina. The 23-year-old has previously toured with Los Pumas.

Moroni has a wealth of experience. He played in RWCs 2015 and 2019 and has 57 caps. Castro is uncapped, but is a reputable name. He is a former captain of Argentina u20’s. He also captained Los Jaguares XV in the opening round of the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR).

Castro is 1.89m (6-2) tall and weighs 95kg (210lbs). He is a product of San Juan RC. His hometown will play host to Argentina vs Australia later this year as part of the 2022 Rugby Championship.

The Jaguares XV center will continue his career abroad. He is to join Clermont in the Top 14. The French competition is also home to Argentine centers Chocobares, Jerónimo de la Fuente and Juan Cruz Mallía.

Lucas Mensa competed in the Pro D2 Final this past weekend. Bayonne won the match to earn promotion to the Top 14. Mont de Marsan will now face Perpignan. Mensa will likely play opposite de la Fuente. Both are positioned to start in July with one playing for Los Pumas and the other for the Argentina XV. In theory, Castro’s role is to be the understudy to Mensa.

Mensa was the only specialist inside center on the initial roster. Moroni is an outside center as as the other centers selected: Tomás Cubilla, and Agustín Segura.

About Americas Rugby News

Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

Check Also

Europe Notes – Americas Player Transfers

Player recruitment and re-signings continue. Recent instances in Europe have seen player movement involving Uruguay …