Former Leinster favourite Felipe Contepomi has been handed a recall to the Argentina squad for their autumn internationals, one of which will be against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on November 24th. Second row Patricio Albacete has been forced to withdraw after undergoing surgery on an eye socket.
Contepomi, who plays for Stade Français, won the most recent of his 78 caps against France in June and then missed the entire Rugby Championship after an agreement between the Argentine Union (UAR) and the French clubs meant that players couldn’t feature in both the June Tests and the Rugby Championship.
“Being able to call on the experience of Felipe Contepomi is something that will help the squad,” coach Santiago Phelan said.
Overall Phelan has had to make three change to his squad for matches against Wales in Cardiff on November 10th, France in Lille on November 17th and Ireland.
Contepomi replaces Biarritz centre Marcelo Bosch, who along with prop Gómez Kodela has been held back by their club. One time Leinster and St Mary’s prop Juan Gómez replaces Kodela and Tomás Vallejos Cinalli replaces Albacete.
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