Argentina leave out the stars

 

The head coach clearly has his eyes on the Rugby Championship with the majority of the European based players coming together for a training camp after the three Tests only.

 

Scotland have named two squads to tour for the mid-year Tests, the men doing duty for the South American leg are also missing their European based players.

 

A notable inclusion in the squad for Argentina is that of Stormers lock Manuel Carizza who suffered a wrist injury in Round three of Super Rugby but looks set to return to the field on the weekend.

 

Another Super Rugby forward in the mix is Highlanders tighthead prop Matias Diaz.

 

Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, who plays fullback with French Top14 club with Oyonnax and Bordeaux centre Nicolas Sanchez, are included in the backs.

 

A third player based in France, Castres prop Ramiro Herrara, is also named up-front.

 

When quizzed about these five over-seas inclusions coach Hourcade said it was a technical reason.

 

"These players are those who did not renew contracts with their clubs in Europe," he said

 

"Then there are the two players who play in the Southern Hemisphere, they will join us next week because of the [Super Rugby break].

 

"It is good that we have a large number of players who have been working together since the tour of Australia, the team will have more time in June to keep working."

 

Although it is a clearly weakened team, Hourcade knows that the two northern hemisphere teams will be no push-overs.

 

"Ireland is the best team in Europe and one of the best in the world, so it will be very hard," he added

 

"Scotland, meanwhile, are not performing well but have players that play in the best clubs in Europe.

 

"We have been demanding for years to play at the highest level and we have to enjoy, learn, and try to be protagonists.

 

"I am excited and eager to play these games."

 

A similarly weakened Argentine side lost 32-3 and 51-26 to a largely second-string England touring side last summer.

 

Argentina squad: Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De la Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Martin Landajo, Manuel Montero, Matias Moroni, Ramiro Moyano, Matias Orlando, Javier Rojas, Nicolas Sanchez, Joaquin Tuculet, Antonio Ahualli de Chazal, Matias Alemanno, Gabriel Ascárate, Rodrigo Baez, Manuel Carizza, Matias Cortese, Tomas De la Vega, Matias Diaz, Ramiro Herrera, Santiago Iglesias Valdez, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Benjamin Macome, Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Javier Ortega Desio, Bruno Postiglioni, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.