Pablo Matera returns to Argentina squad for November Tests

Argentina have included former captain Pablo Matera in the squad for the upcoming November series campaign.

Matera, who was suspended last year for posting racist tweets between 2011 and 2013 missed the final round of the Rugby Championship against Australia along with Pablo Matera, Sebastian Cancelliere, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Medrano and Santiago Socino for breaching Covid-19 rules.

Nevertheless, Matera now returns along with Medrano while the rest are omitted while Santiago Chocobares and Joaquin Oviedo are unavailable due to injuries.

“The three rivals are very tough: France are an attacking team, physical. Italy are also a very fierce team, just like Ireland,” Pumas captain Julian Montoa said.

“I think we have to go game by game, so it is a very demanding window for us, which is great.”

Argentina will be facing France, Italy and Ireland on 6th, 13th and 21st November respectively.

Argentina squad:

Forwards: Rodrigo Bruni, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa, Pablo Matera; Matias Alemanno, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti; Eduardo Bello, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Santiago Medrano, Facundo Bosch, Julian Montoya (capt), Ignacio Ruiz, Thomas Gallo, Facundo Gigena, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro

Backs: Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Mateo Carreras, Facundo Cordero, Bautista Delguy; Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Lucas Mensa, Matias Moroni; Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Sanchez; Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomas Cubelli, Gonzalo Garcia