Few surprises in Argentina Rugby World Cup squad

There were no great surprises as Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade named his 31-man World Cup squad on Sunday.

Star players Juan Imhoff, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Fernandez Lobbe and Marcelo Bosch all took their places in the final selection.

Hourcade ditched seven players from the squad that participated at the Rugby Championship, ending their campaign last week with a first ever victory over South Africa.

Racing Metro lock Manuel Carizza and Saracens prop Juan Figallo were amongst those to miss out.

The Pumas concluded their World Cup preparation with a 26-12 home defeat to the Springboks on Saturday, just a week after their historic win in Durban.

The players will have two weeks off before leaving for London on August 31.

They will also take part in a training camp in Portugal before their opening match of the tournament against holders New Zealand on September 20.

Argentina, who are favourites to qualify from Pool C alongside the All Blacks, will be hoping to emulate their previous best World Cup performance, third place in 2007.

Squad:

(most players are listed as unaffiliated as they will join the new southern hemisphere Super 18 Argentine franchise following the World Cup)

Forwards: Matias Alemanno (La Tablada), Marcos Ayerza (Leicester, ENG), Agustin Creevy, Matias Diaz, Juan Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, FRA), Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa (Santiago Lawn Tennis), Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Julian Montoya (Newman), Lucas Noguera Paz (Lince Tucuman), Javier Ortega (Estudiantes Parana), Guido Petti (San Isidro Club), Leonardo Senatore, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro

Backs: Horacio Agulla (Bath, ENG), Marcelo Bosch (Sarecens, ENG), Santiago Cordero (Regatas), Tomas Cubelli (Belgrano), Jeronimo De La Fuente (Duendes Rosario), Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias (Alumni), Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff (Racing Metro, FRA), Martin Landajo (CA San Isidro), Matias Moroni (Cuba), Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle, ENG), Joaquin Tuculet
Source: AFP