Led by veteran captain Agustin Pichot, Argentina is betting on experienced players from leading European clubs to boost its chances at the Rugby World Cup next month in France, Wales and Scotland.
Of the 30 players chosen by coach Marcelo Loffreda, more than half have played in at least one World Cup and 25 come from clubs in England, France, Ireland or Italy.
Pichot, of Stade Francais, is the only team member who played in each of the last three World Cups -- South Africa in 1995, Wales in 1999 and Australia in 2003.
Others chosen for the Sept. 7 to Oct. 20 event include Felipe Contepomi and his brother Manuel, Ingacio Corleto, Martin Durand, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Omar Hasan, Mario Ledesma, Martin Scelzo, Gonzalo Longo, Lucas Ostiglia, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, and center Gonzalo Tiesi, who is the youngest at 22. Hasan is the oldest at 36.
Loffreda selected 17 forwards and 13 backs, as he did four years ago.
The Pumas, ranked sixth by the International Rugby Board, have a stated goal of reaching at least the quarter-finals, which they accomplished for the first time ever in Wales eight years ago.
Pumas Squad:
Forwards: Patricio Albacete, Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, Marcos Ivan Ayerza, Martin Durand, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Santiago Bonorino, Omar Hasan, Mario Ledesma, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Gonzalo Longo, Esteban Lozada, Lucas Ostiglia, Rodrigo Roncero, Martin Scelzo, Martin Schusterman, Alberto Vernet.
Backs: Agustin Pichot, Felipe Contepomi, Manuel Contepomi, Ignacio Corleto, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Martin Gaitan, Juan Martin Hernandez, Horacio Agulla, Lucas Borges, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, Federico Serra, Gonzalo Tiesi, Federico Todeschini.
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