Although the Pumas failed to win a game in the inaugural campaign of the Rugby Championship, they won plaudits for their efforts against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Now the Pumas attentions are focussed on their European tour which kicks off against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on November 10.
“We face the challenge of three more demanding matches, on tour playing as visitors,” Phelan said. “We have to keep growing as we did in the Rugby Championship albeit against other rivals… and I’m keen to do it well.”
Phelan has brought back experienced centre Gonzalo Tiesi who hasn’t played for the Pumas since last year’s Rugby World Cup which he finished prematurely due to injury.
The injured Martin Rodriguez and the retired Rodrigo Roncero will not tour but there is a strong Aviva Premiership contingent in the mix with Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers), Horacio Agulla (Bath) and Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs) all included.
Argentina squad:
Forwards: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, captain), Leonardo Senatore (Gimnasia Rosario), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Lyon), Tomas Leonardi (SIC), Julio Farias Cabello (Tucuman), Tomas de la Vega (CUBA), Patricio Albacete (Toulouse), Manuel Carizza (Jockey Club Rosario), Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers), Agustin Creevy (Montpellier), Juan Figallo (Montpellier), Eusebio Guinazu (unaffiliated), Bruno Postiglioni (La Plata), Francisco Gomez Codela (Biarritz)
Backs: Joaquin Tuculet (Grenoble), Santiago Cordero (Regatas Bella Vista), Horacio Agulla (Bath), Juan Jose Imhoff (Racing Metro), Manuel Montero (Pucara), Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter), Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz), Gonzalo Tiesi (SIC), Juan Martin Hernandez (Racing Metro), Nicolas Sanchez (Bordeaux-Begles), Nicolas Vergallo (Toulouse), Martin Landajo (CASI), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic)
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