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Argentina’s injury list has grown. With the July Internationals quickly approaching, Felipe Contepomi’s planning has been forced to adapt again as a fourth regular starting player has been ruled out through injury.
The player in question is Thomas Gallo. The first-choice Argentine loose head prop suffered a rupture of his adductor tendon during a Challenge Cup match when playing for Benetton against the Exeter Chiefs. The severity of the injury means Gallo will undergo surgery on Tuesday, April 28.
The recovery time of four to five months following surgery means Gallo will not be available to represent Argentina in the Nations Championship home matches against England, Scotland and Wales in July. He is also unlikely to face South Africa and Australia this year.
The 26-year-old from Tucumán has completed his final season for Benetton. He will continue his professional career in France for Lyon in the Top 14.
 ARGENTINA DEPTH – LOOSE HEAD PROP |
Thomas Gallo has 40 caps for Argentina. This is the most of all the active loose head props in Argentina’s Player Pool. Mayco Vivas (Oyonnax, FR) is second with 39 caps while there is then a big gap with Ignacio Calles (Bayonne, FR) third on 8 caps.
Vivas was busy for Argentina in 2025 while Calles did not receive game time. Felipe Contepomi also did not select Rodrigo Martínez (Dragons, UK) while Boris Wenger (Harlequins, UK) was a rookie Puma in 2025. Wenger has 5 caps and Martínez 3.
| ARGENTINA INJURIES – OUT OF JULY |
The loss of Gallo will see Felipe Contepomi adapting accordingly. This may mean more game time for players listed above or an opportunity for an uncapped player such as the Benetton-bound Matías Medrano. Be that as it may, attention is already firmly on July with Argentina down three players.
First choice fullback Juan Cruz Mallía was injured playing for Argentina against England in November. A late tackle by Tom Curry saw Mallía forced off. Diagnosis confirmed that González had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury sees him out for the season for his club (Toulouse) and out for Argentina for at least the July Internationals (Nations Championship).
Despite the injury, Mallía was involved in Argentina’s recent training camp in London. Pedro Rubiolo was missing from the camp. The second-rower suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership. The Bristol Bears are eyeing Rubiolo to return in September.
Flanker Juan Martín González was involved in the camp in London but will not take to the field for Los Pumas in July. His season for Saracens is over after he suffered a broken foot. His injury required surgery and the recovery period means he will miss out on playing in his home town of Mendoza against Australia on September 05.
