Felipe Contepomi isn’t messing around. The new Los Pumas head coach just dropped his first squad selection for 2026, and it’s already turning heads across the rugby world – starting with the shocking exclusion of longtime captain Julián Montoya.
The selected players will gather in London from March 9-11 for what promises to be an intense training camp as Argentina prepares for a jam-packed international calendar. While Contepomi emphasizes this isn’t the final roster for upcoming competitions, the omission of the veteran hooker signals a potential changing of the guard.
For American rugby fans, this development is huge. Argentina remains one of the few Tier 1 nations regularly accessible to US audiences, and Los Pumas’ evolution directly impacts the competitive landscape our Eagles face in international play. With several Argentine-born players having made their mark in Major League Rugby, the connection between Argentine rugby and American fans continues to strengthen.
Contepomi, the former Argentina fly-half turned coach, is clearly putting his stamp on the squad early. Whether this bold approach pays off remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain – Argentine rugby just got a lot more interesting to watch.
Original story via Americas Rugby News. Read more