With several high-profile players unavailable through injury or club commitments, Felipe Contepomi has named 11 uncapped players in his squad to face the Lions on Friday night.
Eight of these uncapped players currently ply their trade in Super Rugby Americas, with the league contributing 11 players in total, drawn from Argentina’s three franchises, Dogos (5), Tarucas (3), and Pampas (3).
Boris Wegner
Dogos loosehead Boris Wenger has plenty of admirers in Argentina and it isn’t hard to see why. Wenger is a relentless scrummager with an incredible engine, regularly playing over 70 minutes per game.
While not the tallest, Wenger packs an enormous amount of power, reminiscent of former France and Clermont front rower, Thomas Domingo. He is tipped to make his debut in Dublin.
Leonel Oviedo
Wenger’s Dogos teammate, Leonel Oviedo has had to be patient in his pursuit of a Pumas cap, having seen his younger brother debut for the side in 2021.
The hooker, 27, is now in his prime and will look to fill the void left by recently retired Argentina legend Agustín Creevy.
Pedro Delgado
Tighthead prop Pedro Delgado is the third Dogos player to receive the call from Contepomi.
The powerful scrummager won two caps last year and will be determined to become a regular in the side after another impressive SRA campaign.
Luciano Asevedo
Tarucas’ debut season in the competition has been rewarded with three players called up to the squad. Still only 21, second row Luciano Asevedo will hope to win his first cap against the Lions.
At 6 ft 8 in and weighing 124 kg, Asevedo has the potential to add even greater physicality to an already fearsome Pumas pack.
Joaquín Moro
Joaquín Moro has already played his final game for Pampas and will join Leicester before next season.
The versatile backrower made his debut last year against Uruguay and will relish the chance to test himself against the Lions should he be called upon.
Scrum-Halves
Scrum half is one area where Contepomi’s squad looks light on experience, with the three players selected boasting just 11 caps between them.
Dogos’ Agustín Moyano will be hoping to win his first cap in Dublin but may lose out to Tarucas’ Simón Benítez Cruz, who was named the Super Rugby Americas Player of the Season after Friday’s final.
Nicolás Roger
If Cruz does make his debut, he may find himself linking up with fellow Tarucas’ star Nicolás Roger.
The fly half has played for four different Super Rugby Americas franchises in his career to date but has played his best rugby this year, leading Tarucas’ unlikely playoff pursuit all the way to the final round.
Justo Piccardo
Pampas’ Justo Piccardo won his first cap off the bench last year against Ireland and is touted as a potential starter in Dublin this time around.
If he does feature, the powerful centre will likely come up against either Bundee Aki or Sione Tuipulotu, two the world’s very best in their position.
Faustino Sánchez Valarolo
Dogos centre Faustino Sánchez Valarolo is one of the hottest prospects in Argentina and was named as the Super Rugby Americas Breakthrough Player of the Year on Friday.
The 20-year-old could pass another milestone on his meteoric rise should he make his first appearance for the Pumas on Friday.
Santiago Pernas
Pampas winger Santiago Pernas enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024 with earned him a call-up to the Pumas training squad.
After an injury-disrupted 2025 campaign, the 21-year-old flyer will be desperate to pull on the famous Pumas jersey, although he will face fierce competition from the likes of Harlequins‘ Rodrigo Isgró.
All in all, 22 of the 32 players in the squad are current or former Super Rugby Americas players in what can only be seen as a huge vote of confidence in the burgeoning league.
For those who do feature in Dublin, there are few tougher introductions to international rugby, but the rewards are there to be won, whether in terms of further appearances or catching the eye of major European clubs.
By Joe Santamaria
READ MORE: Super Rugby Americas – Peñarol fight off incredible Dogos comeback to win title
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