Pumas spread net to overseas players

Argentina have picked prop Juan Figallo for the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Durban tomorrow as they relax their policy of choosing only home-based players.

Figallo, from English Premiership club Saracens, was not included in the original 36-strong squad named by new coach and former national team hooker Mario Ledesma.

But he was named yesterday as the tighthead prop in a front row completed by loosehead Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and captain and hooker Agustin Creevy.

Since coming fourth at the 2015 World Cup in England, the Pumas have ignored Argentines playing in Europe and based the team around Buenos Aires-based Super Rugby outfit Jaguares.

However, a run of just six victo- ries in 28 internationals, including three humiliating home losses two months ago to weakened Wales and Scotland sides, forced a rethink.

Figallo is one of three changes to the pack that started in a 44-15 drubbing against the Scots in Resistencia.

He replaces loosehead Juan Diaz with Chaparro switching sides and Marcos Kremer and Javier Ortega Desio come into the back row for Tomas Lezana and Leonardo Senatore.

Lezana is among the eight replacements while an injury sidelined veteran Senatore for the clash with the Springboks.

Full-back Emiliano Boffelli, winger Bautista Delguy, inside centre Bautista Ezcurra and flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez survive from the starting backline against Scotland.

Ledesma preferred centre Matias Moroni, winger Ramiro Moyano and scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou to Matias Orlando, Sebastian Cancelliere and long-serving Martin Landajo. –