Argentina XV Prepares for USA Eagles Test in Miami

The Argentina XV will open their 2026 campaign on August 15, facing the USA Eagles at Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. This uncapped fixture offers a significant opportunity for emerging Argentine players to test themselves against the United States’ senior national team, as reported by Americas Rugby News on the Argentina XV's schedule.

Head coach Álvaro Galindo has selected a 28-man squad for the match, with the team convening at Casa Pumas in Buenos Aires for a four-day training camp before traveling to North America. Galindo emphasized that the roster is primarily composed of Super Rugby Americas (SRA) players who distinguished themselves during the recent season reflecting strong SRA performances.

Roster Built on Super Rugby Americas Talent

The squad draws heavily from the four Argentine SRA teams, along with Argentine players competing for other SRA franchises. This approach ensures a core of battle-tested athletes familiar with professional-level competition. Americas Rugby News highlighted the SRA player focus as a key tenet of Galindo’s selection philosophy.

A notable inclusion is Federico Serpa, the sole player on the roster without prior Super Rugby Americas experience. Serpa has been fast-tracked into the squad following impressive performances for the Argentina U20s, Los Pumitas after standout U20 performances. His direct promotion underscores the coaching staff's recognition of his potential.

The only capped player in the Argentina XV squad is flanker Nicolás D’Amorim. He previously debuted for Argentina against Uruguay in Salta in July 2025. D'Amorim missed the Super Rugby Americas season due to injury, but his inclusion suggests he is now fit and ready to contribute as the only capped player.

Positional Breakdown and Key Prospects

The forward pack includes several promising talents. In the front row, Diego Correa and Nicolás Revol Pitt feature at loosehead prop, while Marcos Camerlinckx, Juan Ignacio Greising Revol, and Martín Vaca are listed at hooker. Enzo Avaca and Galo Fernández round out the tighthead props. The second row sees Joaquin Domínguez, Rodrigo Fernández Criado, and Felipe Villagrán providing height and power across the forward pack.

Beyond D’Amorim, the back row comprises Faustino Santarelli, Agustín Sarelli, and Francisco Sluga as flankers, with Juan Pedro Bernasconi and Thiago Sbrocco selected as No. 8s. These players offer a blend of physicality and athleticism vital for the breakdown and carrying duties.

In the halfbacks, Alejo Sugasti and Nicolás Viola are the scrum-halves, with Ignacio Dogliani and the aforementioned Federico Serpa at fly-half. The centers include Bautista Estelles, Felipe Ledesma, Bautista Lescano, and Facundo Pueyrredón, offering various attacking options. On the wings, Nicolás De Vertiz, Mateo Pasquni, and Franco Rossetto complete the squad listing the full 28-man squad.

USA Eagles Opportunity and Future Implications

This fixture provides a crucial opportunity for the USA Eagles to test their squad against high-level opposition outside of direct Rugby World Cup qualifiers or Major League Rugby coverage Major League Rugby coverage fixtures. For many in the Argentina XV, it represents a chance to stake a claim for future senior national team consideration, especially with the Pumas’ ongoing international commitments.

The match in Fort Lauderdale will be a key early indicator for both programs in 2026, setting the tone for their respective player development pathways and international aspirations. It allows the Eagles to assess their depth and integrate new tactics against a side built from the robust Super Rugby Americas competition.