Argentina name squad to face All Blacks

Argentina rugby coach Marcelo Loffreda has named a 26-man squad ahead of the tests against Wales and New Zealand in June.

A full contingent of players were available to Loffreda for the three tests, including a large number of Europe-based professionals.

That includes Leinster playmaker Felipe Contepomi and star Stade Francais halfback Agustin Pichot.

Only four members of the squad ply their trade in Argentina.

Argentina's first test against Wales on June 11 will be in the deep south of the country, for the first time at Puerto Madryn, Patagonia.

Wales will then move on to Buenos Aires for the second test on June 17 at Velez Sarsfield stadium.

The Pumas will face the All Blacks at the same venue on June 24.

Argentina squad:
Rimas Alvarez Kairelis (Perpignan), Marcos Ivan Ayerza (Club Newman), Lucas Borges (Stade Fran ais), Rafael Carballo (Toulon), Manuel Carizza (Biarritz Olympique), Felipe Contepomi (Leinster), Ignacio Corleto (Stade Fran ais), Martin Durand (Montpellier), Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks), Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Liceo Naval), Nicolas Fernandez Miranda (Hindu Club), Pablo Gambarini (C.A.S.I.), Omar Hasan (Toulouse), Juan Martin Hernandez (Stade Fran ais), Mario Ledesma Arocena (ASM Montferrand), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (London Irish), Francisco Leonelli Morey (Edinburgh Gunners), Gonzalo Longo Elia (ASM Montferrand), Federico Martin Aramburu (Biarritz Olympique), Jose Maria Nunez Piossek (Bayonne), Lucas Ostiglia (Agen), Agustin Pichot (Stade Fran ais), Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Fran ais), Martin Scelzo (ASM Montferrand), Gonzalo Tiesi (London Irish), Federico Todeschini (Beziers).

- NZPA