Ledesma opening the door for future European-based Pumas recalls

Under the guidance of Mario Ledesma, a number of European-based Los Pumas players could receive recalls especially with the Rugby World Cup less than 12 months away.

The former Pumas hooker has already made waves by naming six uncapped players in his training squad for the Rugby Championship before calling up Saracens tighthead prop Juan Figallo, who last played in the 2015 World Cup.

Figallo will be the first European-based Pumas to feature in the competition since they joined the competition in 2015 and Ledesma has also reportedly requested permission for Ramiro Herrera to join him.

UAR officials said they are willing to relax the restriction in future and Ledesma's request is proof he wants new blood and build depth in his squad. 

"We need to get back to the fundamentals of our game," Ledesma said. "Good defending wins games.

Figallo's inclusion could open the floodgates for other European-based players to return to the test set-up and make an impact with the likes of Facundo Isa, Ramiro Herrera, Juan Imhoff and Ben Urdapiletta all starring in France. 

While regular starting flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez is set to join Stade Francais at the end of the year.