Five uncapped players included in Argentina's squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has unveiled a 34-man squad for Los Pumas’ opening Nations Championship clash against Scotland in Córdoba on July 4, with a mix of established internationals, returning players and exciting uncapped prospects.
The match marks Argentina’s first outing of 2026 and the start of a busy July schedule that also includes Tests against Wales in San Juan on July 11 and England in Santiago del Estero a week later.
Contepomi’s first squad of the year includes five uncapped players, highlighting the depth being developed ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Among the fresh faces is Western Force hooker Leonel Oviedo, the older brother of established Puma Joaquin Oviedo. Despite previous involvement in national squads and a recent appearance for the Barbarians against South Africa, Oviedo is still awaiting his first Test cap.
Towering second-rower Luciano Asevedo has also earned a call-up after impressing for Tarucas in Super Rugby Americas. Standing 2.03 metres tall and weighing 124 kilograms, the lock has already attracted interest from French giants Toulon.
Dogos fullback Mateo Soler completes the trio of uncapped players included in the main squad, while Pampas flanker Juan Penoucos and centre Agustín Fraga have been invited to train with the group.
Several familiar names return after missing the November tour of the United Kingdom.
Scrumhalf Gonzalo García is back after injury curtailed his Rugby Championship campaign last year, while Leicester Tigers No.8 Joaquin Moro and Dogos centre Faustino Sánchez Valarolo also return to the national fold.
#SquadAnnouncement: Scott Robertson brings in another SA player ahead of Twickenham clash 👇#SouthAfrica #Barbarians #Wales https://t.co/6iFt8WO57E
— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) June 23, 2026
Argentina have, however, been forced to navigate several injury setbacks.
Regular starters Thomas Gallo, Juan Martín González, Juan Cruz Mallía and Pedro Rubiolo are all unavailable, while Bautista Bernasconi, Benjamín Elizalde and Benjamín Grondona continue their recoveries after making their Test debuts in 2025.
The timing of the French Top 14 final has also ruled out several key players. Toulouse and Montpellier stars Santiago Chocobares, Efraín Elías, Domingo Miotti and Justo Piccardo were not considered for the Scotland Test due to club commitments.
The squad will be boosted as July progresses, but for now Contepomi has opted for a balanced group led by experienced campaigners such as captain Julián Montoya, Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Matías Alemanno.
With the inaugural Nations Championship providing meaningful Test rugby throughout the year, Argentina will view the Scotland clash as the ideal opportunity to lay down an early marker before tackling Wales and England later in the month.
After a promising 2025 season, Contepomi’s men will be eager to start their Nations Championship campaign on a winning note and continue building momentum towards Rugby World Cup 2027.
ARGENTINA SQUAD
FORWARDS
Loosehead Props
Mayco Vivas – Oyonnax, France – 39 caps
Boris Wenger – Harlequins, England – 5 caps
Hookers
Julián Montoya – Pau, France – 117 caps
Leonel Oviedo – Western Force – uncapped
Ignacio Ruiz – Perpignan, France – 26 caps
Tighthead Props
Francisco Coria Marchetti – Brive, France – 8 caps
Pedro Delgado – Harlequins, England – 9 caps
Tomás Rapetti – Toulouse, France – 3 caps
Locks
Franco Molina – Newcastle Red Bulls, England – 19 caps
Guido Petti – Harlequins, England – 98 caps
Matías Alemanno – Vannes, France – 99 caps
Luciano Asevedo – Tarucas – uncapped
Flankers
Santiago Grondona – Pau, France – 25 caps
Marcos Kremer – Clermont, France – 81 caps
Pablo Matera – Honda Heat, Japan – 121 caps
Juan Penoucos – Pampas – uncapped*
No.8s
Joaquin Moro – Leicester Tigers, England – 3 caps
Joaquin Oviedo – Perpignan, France – 22 caps
BACKS
Scrumhalves
Simón Benítez Cruz – Newcastle Red Bulls, England – 10 caps
Gonzalo García – Pau, France – 16 caps
Agustín Moyano – Western Force, Australia – 8 caps
Flyhalves
Tomás Albornoz – Toulon, France – 21 caps
Gerónimo Prisciantelli – Racing 92, France – 4 caps
Nicolás Roger – Dogos – 3 caps
Inside Centre
Faustino Sánchez Valarolo – Dogos – 1 cap
Outside Centres
Lucio Cinti – Saracens, England – 39 caps
Agustín Fraga – Pampas – uncapped*
Matías Moroni – Bristol Bears, England – 94 caps
Wings
Mateo Carreras – Bayonne, France – 33 caps
Bautista Delguy – Clermont, France – 39 caps
Rodrigo Isgró – Harlequins, England – 16 caps
Ignacio Mendy – Benetton, Italy – 4 caps
Fullbacks
Santiago Carreras – Bath, England – 64 caps
Mateo Soler – Dogos – uncapped
