Jaguares (Last year: Seventh)

After struggling to find their feet in the competition in 2016, when they finished 13th, and again in 2017, when they were 10th, the Jaguares surprised many with their seven consecutive wins last year, which included an unbeaten run in their four matches in Australia and New Zealand. However, losses to the Bulls and the Sharks on SA soil just before the play-offs cost them a home quarterfinal and they eventually went down 40-23 to the Lions at Ellis Park. It also remains to be seen how they will be influenced by new coach Gonzalo Quesada, following his return from French club Biarritz, replacing Mario Ledesma who has been appointed as the Pumas national coach. The Jaguares will also have a new captain in centre Jeronimo de la Fuente, who has replaced flank Pablo Matera, while their biggest loss is undoubtedly veteran flyhalf Nicholas Sanchez who has joined French club Stade Francais. Other influential players they have lost include experienced flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who has retired, scrumhalf Felipe Ezcurra, who has joined Leicester Tigers, and No 8 Leonardo Senatore who has left for Germany. They do, however, still have three experienced No 9s in Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomás Cubelli and Martín Landajo. The Argentine outfit are unlikely to be complaining too much about their schedule. They host the Lions, Bulls and Blues in their first three matches before their first away game against the Lions on March 9.

Key Player to watch: Joaquín Tuculet: The fullback is one of the most exciting runners and deadliest finishers in the game. Having previously played for Sale Sharks, Grenoble , Bordeaux Begles and the Cardiff Blues, he has also turned out in 51 Tests and scored 16 tries for the Pumas.

Projected finish: 10th