Argentina has suffered a hooker blow for the Nations Championship. Ahead of the upcoming announcement of Felipe Contepomi’s roster it has been revealed that Bautista Bernasconi is out. His club, Benetton reported that he has undergone an arthroscopic procedure on his left wrist.
The estimated recovery time following such a procedure ranges between three and six months. This means that Bernasconi will not be considered for Argentina’s upcoming home matches against Wales, England and Scotland for the inaugural Nations Championship.
Bernasconi was a rookie Puma in 2025. He played in the July Internationals for Los Pumas against England and Uruguay. His involvement coincided with player management ahead of the Rugby Championship. This policy is a reflection of the lack of a global rugby season.
| PUMAS HOOKERS |
The long and grueling European club season is over for some but not for Argentina’s two regular hookers on a team sheet. Julián Montoya’s move from Leicester Tigers to Pau has been successful and the team hosts Racing 92 in a barrage elimination match on Saturday.
Ignacio Ruiz is the understudy to Montoya. His team finished the Top 14 season in 13th position. This means the club will fight for survival in the Top 14 against Pro d2 runners-up, Province. The Access Match will take place on Sunday with Province having home advantage. While it will be the last match of the season for Ruiz, Montoya may play two more.
The above scenario suggests that Felipe Contepomi’s roster may well contain another hooker. One option is a recall for Facundo Bosch while another is an opportunity for an uncapped player. The latter scenario looms as the more likely with Lionel Oviedo topping the list. Unlike Bosch, Lionel Oviedo trained with Los Pumas in 2025. The uncapped Lionel Oviedo has just signed a new contract with the Western Force until 2028.
 SUPER RUGBY AMERICAS HOOKERS |
Contepomi has not been shy to invest in the future. This was evidence in both 2024 and 2025 with players chosen from Super Rugby Americas (SRA) despite elite league based players being available. If this route is to be taken for the Nations Championship then which SRA hooker(s) may be selected?
The leading name is arguably Juan Ignacio Greising Revol. The Dogos hooker is the leading try-scorer in SRA 2026 with 11 tries. He has been deadly at the lineout to maul and is proven to be a busy player in general play.
Additional names include the Pampas duo of Ignacio Bottazzini and Marcos Camerlinckx. Both players have had strong seasons as have Tarucas hookers José Calderoni and Juan Manuel Vivas. Another young name is that of teenager Manuel Cuneo, though he is likely troubled plays or Los Pumitas at the u20 World Championship. Cuneo’s teammate at Los Capibaras, Martín Vaca has played himself into consideration too.
 ARGENTINA INJURED LIST – OUT OF JULY |
Bautista Bernasconi is the latest Puma who will not be available to Felipe Contepomi in July. His loss comes shortly after that of Benjamin Elizalde who together with Juan Cruz Mallía means two fullbacks are out of consideration.
Regular starting tight head second-rower Pedro Rubiolo is out until September following a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Similarly, regular flanker Juan Martín González suffered a broken foot and will not play in July either.
Bernasconi’s now former Benetton teammate, Thomas Gallo is also out. Gallo ruptured his adductor tendon while playing for Benetton against the Exeter Chiefs.