Bath Rugby star Santiago Carreras has been named in Argentina’s squad for the upcoming Visa Galicia Cup, set to face South Africa and Australia in a highly competitive three-match series.
Carreras, who has been in impressive form during the inaugural Nations Championship, featured prominently as Los Pumas took on Wales, Scotland, and England. Starting at full-back in all three games, he also earned the role of vice-captain for the first time in the Round 2 victory over Wales, where Argentina triumphed 35-21. Despite this success, Argentina narrowly lost their subsequent encounters against Scotland (47-38) and England (31-24).
The Visa Galicia Cup sees Argentina open their campaign against two-time world champions South Africa at José Amalfitani Stadium in Liniers on Saturday 8 August. They will then host Australia twice: on Saturday 29 August at Estadio 23 de Agosto in Jujuy and on Saturday 5 September at Malvinas Argentinas Stadium in Mendoza.
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Carreras’ involvement with the national team could impact his availability for the start of the season with Bath Rugby. The Premiership Rugby Cup kick-off is scheduled for 6 September with an away fixture against Sale. Following this match, Bath have a bye week and then a week without fixtures, meaning Carreras is likely to miss just the opening game.
“Carreras has been a vital part of Los Pumas, and his leadership as vice-captain speaks volumes about his importance to the squad,” said a team insider.
Here is the full Argentina squad named for the Visa Galicia Cup:
Forwards: Facundo Cardozo, Franco Carrera, Pedro Delgado, Ephraim Elijah, Benjamin Grondona, Tomás Lavanini, Rodrigo Martínez, Pablo Matera, Francisco Moreno, Joaquín Moro, Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penouco, Guido Petti, Tomás Rapetti, Ignacio Ruiz, Juan Martín Scelzo, Mayco Vivas, Boris Wenger
Backs: Simón Benítez Cruz, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Agustín Fraga, Rodrigo Isgró, Ignacio Mendy, Matías Moroni, Agustín Moyano, Benjamin Ordiz, Santiago Pernas, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Nicholas Roger, Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, Mateo Soler, Tobias Wade