Argentina have called up Saracens prop Juan Figallo to replace Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland.
Figallo failed to make the original Pumas squad for the World Cup due to a knee injury, but he has recovered and will now replace the 26-year old Chaparro, who tore his right thigh muscle in training.
27-year old Figallo has earned 22 caps and scored one try for Argentina, but with two practices left before the Pumas face Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, the tight-head prop faces an uphill battle to make into coach Daniel Hourcade’s matchday squad.
However, if the Pumas can make it through to the semi-finals, Figallo’s experience could be an asset for Hourcade, with the 27-year old having featured in the last World Cup in New Zealand four years ago.
Argentina have also lost another experienced player in Marcelo Bosch, Figallo’s team-mate at Saracens, with the outside centre having been suspended for a week on Wednesday for a dangerous tackle during the Pumas’ 64-19 win over Namibia last weekend.
Bosch would have been expected to start alongside Juan Martin Hernandez, and either Matias Moroni or Jeronimo de la Fuente will replace ‘Chelo’ in the starting XV for Sunday’s game.
Hernandez said that Bosch would be a big loss due to his defensive qualities. “Chelo is a great leader in defence, in our backline at least. He can read oncoming attacks better than any of us,” the 33-year old said.
He added: “Sometimes, it’s very hard for a defending outside centre or wing to make the right calls, but he always gets it right. That is why his replacement, though more inexperienced, must be as effective as him and capable of making the right decisions.”
