Wednesday Round-Up

Five changes for Pumas: Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade has made five changes to his side for this weekend’s impending clash with the Wallabies on home soil in Mendoza. One of the game’s finest back row exponents, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, has returned home to domestic club Toulon, in order to see his newly born second son. Elsewhere upfront Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro replaces Ramiro Herrera at tight head, with Rodrigo Baez taking over from former skipper Lobbe. Across the backline, Tomas Landajo returns in the 9 jersey, Horacio Agulla lines up at 13, while Lucas Gonzalez Amorisino wears the 11 jersey in place of Manuel Montero. Argentina still remain in the hunt for their first Rugby Championship win as they welcome Australia to Estadio Unico Ciudad this weekend.

Earls Lay-off: Munster head coach Anthony Foley has revealed in the past 24 hours, that star back line member Keith Earls will be out of action for between three and four months, after undergoing surgery to repair damage to a troublesome knee injury. Having been plagued for two seasons by the knee injury with varying degrees of pain, Earls was initially expected to go under the knife in the off-season. However, an upturn in his recovery saw him return to action against Treviso where he further aggravated the knee and was forced to see a specialist to determine the full extent and necessary next steps. Earls will now sit out the majority of Munster’s European Champions Cup campaign, the pool stages at the very least, while he faces a race to be fit to make Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for the Six Nations.

Blues sign winger: Cardiff Blues have confirmed the signing of Argentine winger Lucas Gonzalez Amorisino on a short term deal until the close of the current season. Capped on 37 occasions for los Pumas, and named in their starting XV for this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies, Amorisino will bring a wealth of experience to the Blues back line and could well fill the void left by Leigh Halfpenny at fullback. The former Leicester, Montpellier and Oyonnax man will link up with his new outfit in the Welsh capital, upon completion of the Rugby Championship with Argentina.

Ryan Sheady