Argentina change selection policy for 2019

In February Springbok director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus confirmed that South Africa have dropped their 30 test cap rule for selecting overseas-based and that they would enforce World Rugby regulation 9 which forces clubs to release players to their test sides during official test windows.

Los Pumas head coach Mario Ledesma has stated that Argentina will take the same stance on overseas-based players in 2019 and moving forward. 

The UAR enforced a selection policy under former head coach Daniel Hourcade following the 2015 Rugby World Cup which saw overseas-based players being unable to feature for Los Pumas. 

Ledesma replaced Hourcade following the 2018 June Tests and started to select players based in Europe under certain circumstances with Argentina lacking some depth in the front row in particular. The likes of  Juan Figallo, Ramiro Herrera, Gastón Córtes and Facundo Bosch all featuring for Argentina last year with Bosch making his test debut for the side.

Speaking to French newspaper Midi Olympique, Ledesma revealed that he will pick overseas players without restrictions. Ledesma told the French publication that Argentina will select players from abroad whenever they wanted them. 

This will be welcomed news for Los Pumas fans with the likes of Juan Imhoff, Santiago Cordero, Facundo Isa, Nicolás Sánchez, Benjamín Urdapilleta and Patricio Fernández, amongst others, all able to represent their country once again.