Nicolas Sanchez is among four overseas-based players included in Argentina’s 30-man squad set to face the All Blacks on Saturday.
The Argentina governing body has relaxed the restrictions regarding players based in Europe allowing head coach Mario Ledesma to include a number of in-form stars in his squad for their Rugby Championship opener in Buenos Aires this weekend.
Sanchez, who has starred at flyhalf for Stade Français, is joined by Bordeaux wing Santiago Cordero, Toulon loose forward Facundo Isa and Saracens tighthead prop Juan Figallo, who helped the English club claim the Premiership title this year.
Castres playmaker Benjamin Urdapilleta has not been included due to injury, but is part of Ledesma’s pre-World Cup plans.
The majority of the squad is made up of players from the Jaguares and will be captained by hooker Agustin Creevy.
Argentina squad:
Forwards: Matias Alemanno, Agustin Creevy (c), Juan Figallo, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Mayco Vivas.
Backs: Emiliano Boffelli, Sebastian Cancelliere, Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Lucas Mensa, Manuel Montero, Matias Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Nicolas Sanchez, Joaquin Tuculet.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images