A whole barrage of international rugby is set to take place this weekend, so let’s continue with a brief look at some more squads: Argentina, Canada, Fiji, France, and Georgia!
Newly appointed head coach Daniel Hourcade has retained the entire Rugby Championship squad, with only a few missing out due to injury. Juan Fernandez Lobbe (elbow) is the biggest loss, others include Juan Figallo (neck), Gonzalo Camacho (shoulder), Juan Martin Hernandez (hamstring), and the latest casualty is Agustin Creevy (knee). Figallo’s Montpellier clubmate Maximiliano Bustos has been selected as his replacement, while new Worcester no8 Leonardo Senatore returns from suspension.
Javier Rojas is promoted from the Jaguars following an excellent ARC tournament and provides cover at flyhalf and centre. Exciting fullback Santiago Cordero is the only uncapped player in the squad that also features his u20 teammates Matias Diaz, Santiago Iglesias, Tomas Lavanini, and Leicester signing Pablo Matera. At the other end of the spectrum Julio Farias Cabello will be playing his final tests for the Pumas as he retires at the end of the tour. Juan Manuel Leguizamon has been named captain for the tour.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 14:30 GMT – vs England – Twickenham, London
11/16 – 14:30 GMT – vs Wales – Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
11/23 – 14:00 GMT – vs Italy – Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Kieran Crowley has made several changes to the squad that faced the Maori. Unfortunate injuries to captain Aaron Carpenter and Doug Wooldridge on Sunday rule them out of the tour, joining Ryan Hamilton, Jason Marshall, Tom Dolezel, Jamie Cudmore, Nathan Hirayama, and Sean Duke on the disabled list. D.T.H. van der Merwe has welcomed his first child into the world and has opted to miss out, while in-form Agen winger Taylor Paris and Grenoble flyhalf Shane O’Leary have both been disappointingly overlooked.
Returning to the squad after missing the Maori match are Andrew Tiedemann, Brett Beukeboom, Tyler Hotson, Jebb Sinclair, Phil Mackenzie, Nick Blevins, and James Pritchard. National u20 front rowers Ryan March and Djustice Sears-Duru are awarded their first senior tours, while new Blagnac arrival Benoit Piffero gets his first taste of international rugby. No captain has been named yet, but Tyler Ardron appears the favourite having performed vice-captain duties during the Pacific Nations Cup.
FIXTURES
11/09 – 12:30 GMT – vs Georgia – Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi
11/16 – 16:30 GMT – vs Romania – Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
11/23 – 15:00 GMT – vs Portugal – Estadio Nacional, Lisbon
*Canadian cap totals include Churchill Cup appearances that have yet to be acknowledged as official test caps
Fijian coach Inoke Male has selected a strong squad featuring five newcomers for their European tour which culminates in a match against the Barbarians at Twickenhem to celebrate the centenary of Fiji Rugby. Super Rugby regulars Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Alex Rokobaro put their names in the hat for World Cup selection. Fiji 7s captain Levani Botia, nippy scrumhalf Henry Seniloli, and Nadroga prop Peni Ravai, amazingly also a 7s rep, all get their first call ups.
Many of the big name overseas stars are there, but injury has deprived the team of midfielders Gabiriele Lovobalavu and Vereniki Goneva, as well as powerful winger Waisea Nayacalevu. Visa issues have affected Netani Talei’s participation in at least the first match, though it is hoped he will return later on. Sisa Koyamaibole, back in top form for Brive, has been recalled to fill the gap, and he is joined by clubmate and former national captain Dominiko Waqaniburotu, fit again after injury struggles and playing well in the Top 14.
Giant centre Nemani Nadolo, the newest Crusaders signing, promises to play a big role while the likes of France-based trio Napolioni Nalaga, Timoci Nagusa, and Watisoni Votu promise fireworks from the outside. Glasgow cyclone Niko Matawalu has escaped suspension for an alleged biting incident to take up a scrumhalf role, while old statesman Seremaia Bai looks to steady the ship from flyhalf. Gloucester dynamo Akapusi Qera retains the captaincy after an excellent Pacific Nations Cup.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 15:00 GMT – vs Portugal – Estadio Nacional, Lisbon
11/16 – 14:00 GMT – vs Italy – Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cremona
11/23 – 16:30 GMT – vs Romania – Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
11/30 – 14:30 GMT – vs Barbarians – Twickenham, London
The French are battered and bruised having already completed 11 weeks of Top 14 action on top of the Heineken Cup. Thomas Domingo, Guilhem Guirado, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles, and Maxime Machenaud have been ruled out with injury while another six have shown up to camp struggling to train, including both flyhalves Camille Lopez and Remi Tales. Brice Mach, Eddy Ben Arous, Antoine Battut, Gillian Galan, Frederic Michalak, and Marc Andreu are all on standby, though Galan is also reportedly suffering from a shoulder knock.
The good news is three uncapped players have forced their way into the squad. Parisian prop Rabah Slimani makes it after a couple good seasons, rugby league convert Sofiane Guitoune is making a name for himself on the wing, and scrumhalf Jonathan Pelissie joins the team having been one of the form players in the Top 14 this season. Former leader Pascal Pape is recalled to the side but Philippe Saint-Andre has opted to retain Thierry Dusautoir as captain instead.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 20:00 GMT – vs New Zealand – Stade de France, Paris
11/16 – 17:00 GMT – vs Tonga – Stade Oceane, Le Havre
11/23 – 20:00 GMT – vs South Africa – Stade de France, Paris
The Lelos will enjoy some quality tests this November, and head coach Milton Haig has summoned his strongest possible squad in preparation. Notable injury absentees are powerhouse props Vasil Kakovin, Giorgi Jgenti, and Davit Zirakashvili, and yet such is their strength in depth they are still able to call upon Davit Khinchagishvili, Davit Kubriashvili, and Mikheil Nariashvili. First choice hookers Jaba Bregvadze and Irakli Natriashvili are also out, prompting a recall of Simon Maisuradze for the first time in more than two years.
Giorgi Nemsadze has curiously been left out but Toulon youngster Kote Mikautadze will bolster the lineout, and of course the fearsome Mamuka Gorgodze is present in an impressive looking back row. Flanker Viktor Kolelishvili has been among the best players in the French Pro D2 this year for league leaders Lyon, while no8 Dimitri Basilaia is no slouch. Long-time captain and scrumhalf Irakli Abusuridze has at long last retired, so Giorgi Begadze should get the nod at halfback. Promising Bressane duo Merab Sharikadze and Tamaz Mchedlize, an imposing three quarter, should get a run alongside classy midfielder Davit Kacharava. Muscular winger Irakli Machkhaneli has been named captain.
FIXTURES:
11/09 – 12:30 GMT – vs Canada – Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi
11/16 – 10:00 GMT – vs United States – Poladi Stadium, Rustavi
11/23 – 12:30 GMT – vs Samoa – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
