Aviva Premiership Final Preview

The Champion of English rugby will be crowned today as the home of the RFU, Twickenham stages the 2012 Aviva Premiership Final to be contested by the Harlequins and the Leicester Tigers. Should the Quins be victorious it would be the first ever championship title for the London based side. While a win for the Tigers would see England´s most successful club continue to expand on its untouchable resume in English rugby. Leicester are nine time champions of England, three more than the nearest best clubs, Bath and the London Wasps who have both been champions six times. Leicester´s last championship victory came in 2010 while the club was defeated by Saracens in the 2011 final. 

Regardless of who wins, the Final will be a further illustration of the strength of Argentine rugby with Pumas players being present in both teams. The Harlequins will have a Pumas secondrower on the bench as Tomás Vallejos Cinalli looks to break into the squad for The Rugby Championship. The Leicester Tigers have two Pumas in the starting lineup with Horacio Agulla set to play his final match for the club. He will start on the right wing while Marcos Ayerza is to start at loosehead prop. Argentine-Italian tighthead prop, Martín Castrogiovanni has been named on the bench. 

Prediction: Leicester to win by 8 points. 

Horacio Agulla to play 13 for Los Pumas?

With the June internationals fast approaching the Pumas outside centre position is one that is far from being resolved. Just who will play in the 13 shirt remains uncertain due to the long season that started with Rugby World Cup 2011, Argentina´s rumour of experimenting in June and the performances of players in contention for the spot. There would appear to be three players in contention - Marcelo Bosch, Gonzalo Tiesi and Horacio Agulla. All three went to the World Cup but only one is a specialist in the position. Other contenders for the position do exist, such as Agustín Gozio and Manuel Montero, but none have the same credentials and would be a long shot to start in The Rugby Championship. 

Tiesi scores vs Scotland in 2010

It would appear that the chances of Gonzalo Tiesi returning to be Argentina´s first choice outside centre are slim due to the performances of Bosch and Agulla. Having recovered from knee surgery suffered in the first World Cup match, Tiesi returned to play an Amlin Challenge Cup match for Stade Français only to miss the rest of the season, requiring shoulder reconstruction surgery. He may not have been playing rugby this seson but he remains under the close watch of Pumas coach, Santiago Phelan. Tiesi is currently in Pensacola, Florida, USA in preperation for the international season. Phelan. The UAR is investing in his recuperation to see that he can be fit and ready.

Tiesi was a good performer for Argentina in 2010 and 2011 but has now been released from Stade Français due to his injury complications and his future is unknown. His two years in Paris have not been his best as injury has severely limited his game time. While at the Harlequins from 2008-2010 he was in good form which attracted offers from teams such as Stade Français. He joined London Irish three years before joining the Harlequins and became Argentina´s leading outside centre while in England. Now, however, it would appear that it is better for him to return to the Pumas 13 shirt only when he is 100% fit. He has also not got sufficient game time under his belt to start tests in June.

Bosch vs New Zealand RWC2011

Marcelo Bosch has again been playing Top 14 and Heineken Cup rugby this season in the 13 shirt for Biarritz but the position continues to not be considered his actual position. Bosch replaced Tiesi in the first World Cup match and went on to have a solid World Cup for Los Pumas. This season he has played 14 Top 14 matches, starting in eleven of these matches and doing so in three different positions. Six of these matches had Bosch starting at outside centre, two at fullback and three times he started in his natural position of flyhalf. He was also moved about in Heineken Cup matches this season due to the clubs problems which had the team at rock bottom and facing the reality of being relgated to the Pro d2.

Bosch´s form for Biarritz  has been steady despite the clubs problems and his moving about in the team. While not ideal, Bosch has been playing good rugby and is certain to be named in Santiago Phelan´s squad for the June internationals vs Italy and France. He should be the frontrunner for the Pumas 13 shirt this season but he needs a deputy and the time to find this out is not in The Rugby Championship but sooner. Santiago Phelan needs to use the June tests to be clear on who, aside from Bosch, can play 13 if Tiesi´s recovering continues to be slow. Moreover, In June Bosch could very well well also be played in flyhalf, inside centre or fullback. 

Agulla vs England, RWC2011

Horacio Agulla is a winger who has been used at fullback for Argentina in the past and has, despite not wearing the 13 shirt, been used in the position at times during tests. The former Hindu winger has been in the form of his life this season playing for the Leicester Tigers. Agulla has been the teams first choice right winger, scoring seven tries and assisting in creating others. He was awarded try of the season by the club and also player of the season. He was also named in the Aviva Premiership Dream XV of the season. His form is, without question, top shelf and he will start for his country. But given the uncertain nature of Gonazlo Tiesi perhaps Phelan ought to try Agulla in the 13 shirt. Curiously, with Manu Tuilagi unavaliable after the World Cup, Agulla played vs the Sale Sharks and London Irish at outside centre for Leicester. This means he has played more rugby this season in the position than Tiesi. More importantly, however, it means he has been judged by the best English club as being an adequate option for the position and he indeed should be tested in the upcoming tests vs Italy and France.

Agulla was moved to 15 in 2009 to replace Bernardo Stortoni who had taken over from Ignacio Corleto after France 2007. Agulla proved to be a good performer in the position and traded between fullback and centre with new comer Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga in the November tour of Europe. He also played at outside centre following the loss of both Tiesi and Felipe Contepomi vs England at Rugby World Cup 2011. Agulla has the skills to be a test 13 and, right now, appears to be the perfect opportunity to test him out in this postion given Argentina´s current strong supply of wingers. Argentina has five players who have been performing very well this season in Europe.  Of the five Lucas González Amorosino looks certain to move to be Argentina´s starting fullback while Juan Imhoff, Gonzalo Camacho and Martín Bustos Moyano looking like filling the two wing spots. The fifth player, Agulla, could keep his player on the wing or he could be moved infield one place to outside centre which would fill the void of the position as well as ensure that as many of Argentina´s form players as possible are all on the park. It could well be where his future lies after having played two World Cup´s as Los Pumas´ left winger and now looming as being a senior player who could have a greater impact on play from the midfield. With Rugby World Cup 2015 in mind a move to the 13 shirt could well be very shrewed. 

Aviva Premiership Semi Finals - The Road to Twickenham

The Aviva Premiership is down to four with the Semi Finals of England´s premier rugby competition to be played on Saturday in Leicester and London. The two winning sides will qualify for the final to be played at the home of English rugby, Twickenham Stadium on May 26. The same venue will host the Heineken Cup Final one week earlier between Leinster and Ulster. It will also be the central venue for Rugby World Cup 2015 with the RFU having said the venue will open the tournament as well as host the final.

The Aviva Premiership Semi Finals will be a further case in point for Argentina to host Rugby World Cup 2023 due to the involvement of Pumas players in both Semi Finals. No other country yet to host a World Cup will have players in both Semi Finals. The case for Argentina to host is also supported by the involvement of the USA with the North American country having a player involved in one of the two Semi Finals. With Japan hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 the Americas will be the onl region yet to have hosted a World Cup. The same region is the only to have produced a World Cup Semi Finalist yet to host a tournament.

Leicester Tigers vs Saracens

Saracens won the 2011 Final while Leicester won in 2010. In 2012, however, they will play at the Semi Finals stage. Leicester enter as heavy favorites having dominated the Aviva Premiership inr ecent times. Since the completion of the Six Nations no team has come close to playing the kind of rugby that Leicester have. 

Players from the Americas: Horacio Agulla and Marcos Ayerza (Argentina),  Chris Wyles (USA), Martín Castrogiovanni and Carlos Nieto (Argentine players who are Italian capped)

Prediction: Tigers to win by 12 points.

Leicester15 Geordan Murphy (captain), 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 George Skivington, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza

Bench: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Logovi'i Mulipola, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Craig Newby, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Scott Hamilton

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.

Bench: 16 Jamie George, 17 John Smit, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 George Kruis, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Adam Powell, 23 James Short.

Harlequins vs Northampton Saints

The Quins dominated the first half of the season and were well out in front in the Premiership before other clubs closed the gap following the return of players from World Cup duty. Northampton were the final team to qualify for the Semi Finals but are no weak opponent. The match could go either way with the sides being of similar abilities.

Players from the Americas: Tomás Vallejos Cinalli

Prediction: Harlequins to win by 3

Harlequins

15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson,
4 Olly Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler

Bench: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Tomás Vallejos Cinalli, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Matt Hopper.

Northampton15 Ben Foden,14 Chris Ashton, 13 George Pisi, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 James Craig, 5 Christian Day, 4 Mark Sorenson, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andy Long, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha

Bench: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Ben Nutley, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Tom May.

2010 Final 


2011 Final 

Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Camacho and Samu Manoa win awards in England

Aviva Premiership Game Changer of the Season: Gonzalo Camacho

Pumas wingers Horacio Agulla and Gonzalo Camacho have left a massive mark on English rugby this season with the World Cup 11 and 14 winning awards at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards held earlier tonight at the London Hilton in Park Lane, London, England. Agulla was included in the Dream Team, picked as the best right winger of the season. Camacho won the award for Game Changer of the season . The award is based on a points system which rewards players for the most effective performances each month according to the Opta index. The Argentine pair are certainties for the upcoming internationals vs Italy and France next month. Camacho´s season in England is over following the elimination of his club, the Exeter Chiefs who finished fifth to qualify for the Heineken Cup but missed out on making the Semi Finals of the Aviva Premiership. Agulla´s club, the Leicester Tigers will play in the Semi Finals vs Saracens on Saturday in a home match at Welford Road.

No to be left outdone the USA was also a winner with secondrower, Samu Manoa named in the dream team of the season. Manoa´s club, the Northampton Saints, will play against the Harlequins in the other Semi Final. the match will be played at the Stoop in London. The Califonian forward is certain to return to international duty for the USA Eagles afgter missing out on a place at the World Cup last year due to issues with his contract. He has since signed a long term deal and will be avaliable for his country in June. 

The winners and nominees in full were as follows:

Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season

Winner: Chris Robshaw

Shortlist: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), James Scaysbrook (Exeter Chiefs), Julian Salvi (Leicester Tigers) and Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

Land Rover Discovery of the Season

Winner: Owen Farrell

Shortlist: Owen Farrell (Saracens) Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Christian Wade (London Wasps) and Luke Wallace (Harlequins)

QBE Director of Rugby of the Season

Winner: Rob Baxter

Shortlist: Rob Baxter (Exeter Chiefs), Richard Cockerill (Leicester Tigers) and Conor O'Shea (Harlequins)

MBNA Try of the Season

Winner: Jonny May

Shortlist: Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs), Michael Claassens (Bath Rugby v London Irish), James Downey (Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints), Christian Wade (London Wasps v Leicester Tigers), Luke Wallace (Harlequins v London Wasps)

Gatorade Game Changer of the Season

Winner: Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs)

Runners up: Andy Powell (Sale Sharks) - 2nd, Rob Miller (Sale Sharks) - 3rd.

Aviva Community Player of the Season

Winner: Bob Casey

Shortlist: Bob Casey (London Irish), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Will Fraser (Saracens) and James Hudson (Newcastle Falcons)

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series Player of the Season

Winner: Luke Fielden

Shortlist: Danny Bibby (Sale Sharks), Ross Chisholm (Harlequins), Luke Fielden (Newcastle Falcons) and James Short (Saracens).

Guinness Top Try Scorer

Winner: Rob Miller (Sale Sharks) - 10 tries

Gilbert Golden Boot

Winner: Tom Homer (London Irish) - 253 points

ESPN Dream Team

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins)

14 Horacio Agulla (Leicester)

13 George Lowe (Harlequins)

12 George Pisi (Northampton)

11 Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester)

10 Toby Flood (Leicester)
9 Hayden Thomas (Exeter)

8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)

7 James Scaysbrook (Exeter)

6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

5 Geoff Parling (Leicester)

4 Samu Manoa (Northampton)

3 Dan Cole (Leicester)

2 Schalk Britz (Saracens)

1 Joe Marler (Harlequins) 

Aviva Premiership - Round 22 Wrap

Agulla scores try number seven of the season for Leicester

Round 22, the final round of the season´s regular play took place this past weekend in England, confirming the Top Four who will play in Semi Finals as well the two two other sides who have qualified to be England´s six teams in next seasons Heineken Cup. The Semi Finals will be contested by three of the same four teams from last season. Gloucester´s horror season means the team misses out not only on a Semi Final´s place but has also failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup. London based side, the Harlequins replace Gloucester in the top four and finished top of the table after being greatly advantaged in the early stages of the season due to other sides missing large numbers of players to World Cup duty.

The Harlequins will host the Northampton Saints in one Semi Final while the Leicester Tigers will host Saracens in the other. Both will be played this coming Saturday at the home venues of these clubs. Such is the lack of quality organization in English rugby that one of the Semi Finals will be played at a 12,000 capacity venue. It coincides with the RFU´s lack of international matches outside of London as Twickenham has hosted every home match over the past decade. The only match that England has played at a different venue was at Old Trafford in 2009 when the UAR moved the match from Buenos Aires to Manchester in an attempt to make a large profit from the fixture. The Greater Metropolitan area of Manchester is home to the Sale Sharks and now the club is the Northern most team in the Aviva Premiership following the Newcastle Falcon´s win over the London Wasps which sees the Falcons relegated due to the Wasps´ winning a bonus point. 

Both Newcastle and Manchester are to host World Cup matches in 2015 in big stadiums. yet these venues never host Aviva Premiership or Heineken Cup matches. The RFU needs to show vision here to collaborate with clubs so that there can be matches played at the likes of Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry and Southampton  between now and 2015. Tests should also be played in these areas. November 2012´s home test vs Fiji would be a good one to be played at Coventry. 

It is not yet clear who will be replacing Newcastle in the English Top Flght but it is likely to be Bristol who have been in the second division since being relegated in 2009. Bristol replacing Northampton is bad news for World Cup organizers just like Worcester replacing Leeds was last season. Bristol´s neighbour, the Exeter Chiefs made history on Saturday in finishing fifth in the Aviva Premiership to qualify for the Heineken Cup. The Chiefs and the sixth placed Sale Sharks will join the top four in next seasons European competition.

Leicester Tigers 28-3 Bath

Pumas winger Horacio Agulla continued his sublime season, which has earned him Leicester player of the year and try of the year as he scored a try in the Tigers win vs Bath. Agulla played the full match and was joined by fellow Puma, Marcos Ayerza who played 64 minutes at loosehead prop. This weekend the Buenos Aires pair were also named in the Aviva Premiership Dream XV by English World Cup Winning centre, Will Greenwood. While a third Argentine player started, with the Italian international Martín Castrogiovanni playing tighthead prop.

London Irish Exiles 52-18 Gloucester

Canada´s Jebb Sinclair did not play and nor did Argentina´s Matias Cortese. The former Pumas hooker will not be saint at Gloucester next season. The match was overshadowed by a fight between David Paice and Scottish international Jim Hamilton. 

London Wasps 10-14 Newcastle Falcons

USA centre Paul Emerick missed the match for the Wasps.

Northampton Saints 42-14 Worcester Warriors

USA secondrower Samu Manoa did not play for the Saints nor did USA hooker Chris Biller. 

Sale Sharks 10-24 Harlequins

Secondrower Tomás Vallejos Cinalli was on the bench for the Quins but departing inside back, Benjamin Urdapilleta was left out of the match day 23. Young Argentine wniger, Joaquin Tuculet did not play for the Sharks. 

Saracens 40-22 Exeter Chiefs

USA Eagles fullback, Chris Wyles played outside centre for the home side and was joined by the Argentine-Italian Carlos Nieto. Gonzalo Camacho missed the match for the Chiefs due to injury while Ignacio Mieres was on the bench.

Aviva Premiership Standings

1 Harlequins 75

2 Leicester 74

3 Saracens 73

4 Northampton 65

5 Exeter 59

6 Sale 49

7 L Irish 45

8 Bath 44

9 Gloucester 44

10 Worcester 36

11 L Wasps 33

12 Newcastle 32

* Qualified for Semi Finals and next seasons Heineken Cup

*Qualified for next seasons Heineken Cup
* Relegated 

Wasps vs Newcastle


Northampton vs Worcester


London Irish vs Gloucester Fight


Sale vs Harlequins


Saracens vs Exeter

Update on players from the Americas for 2012/2013

Here is a roundup on the futures of the Argentines and other players from the Americas next season.

Gonzalo Tiesi has had a season
plagued with serious injuries and
has been released by Stade Français

Gonzalo Tiesi has had an enormously injury disrupted season, after getting injured during Argentina's opening match at the World Cup in New Zealand he was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament, he returned in November in the Amlin Challenge Cup to play his only match of the season for Stade Français, only to get back injured again.

He has been released by Stade for next season, and the 27 year old centre looks to be out of the equation regarding Pumas selection for this season due to injuries and lack of game time, and is now looking for a new club, which may be hard to find until he proves his fitness.

Belgian born Argentine lock Esteban Lozada was named on the list of departures from Edinburgh recently, and is going to join Agen, another Argentine on their list of departures was 36 year old prop Ulyses Gamboa who was never expected to stay long with them anyway.

Versatile back Matías Viazzo, previously a centre but now a scrum half or fly half, has left Tarbes after one season and re-joined financially troubled Bourgoin after just one season away from them. However Tarbes are bringing in another Argentine, in prop Carlos Muzzio from Fédérale 1 side Vannes.

The Chilean lock Pablo Huete who was signed last season for the Castres Espoirs squad, hasn't got a minute of action this season, and has left for Pau, who are currently third in Pro D2, and Huete should get more game time there. Another Chilean Francisco de la Fuente has left Auch after being sparsely used this season, just playing 98 minutes. The lack of game time for these two players must be considered a disappointment for Chilean rugby.

The all time most capped USA player, Mike MacDonald has left Leeds after seven years with the club, Leeds announced a mass clearout which also includes Americans scrum half Robbie Shaw after failing to achieve promotion back to the Premiership this season.

Confirmed movements for 2012-13 so far

Argentines
Carlos Muzzio, prop, Vannes (Fédérale 1) to Tarbes (Pro D2)
Ulyses Gamboa, prop, Edinburgh (Rabo Pro12) released
Guillermo Roan, prop, Wasps (Aviva Premiership) released (looking for a team in Pro D2)
Rodrigo Roncero, prop, Stade Français (Top 14), retired (unconfirmed whether he will play in the inaugural Rugby Championship)
Esteban Lozada, lock, Edinburgh (Rabo Pro12) to Agen (Top 14)
Leandro Cédaro, lock, Mont-de-Marsan (Pro D2) to La Rochelle (Pro D2)
Manuel Carizza, lock, Biarritz (Top 14) released (is rumoured to have interest from the Scarlets and also from some Super Rugby sides)
Matías Viazzo, fly half, Tarbes (Pro D2) to Bourgoin (Pro D2)
Benjamín Urdapilleta, centre, Harlequins (Aviva Premiership) to Oyonnax (Pro D2)
Gonzalo Tiesi, centre, Stade Français (Top 14) released
Horacio Agulla, wing, Leicester (Aviva Premiership) released
Agustín Gosio, wing, London Scottish (Championship) released (had an offer from the Cornish Pirates but rejected it)

Americans
Mike MacDonald, prop, Leeds (Championship) released
Hayden Smith, lock, Saracens (Aviva Premiership) to New York Jets (NFL)
Todd Clever, flanker, Suntory Sungoliath (Top League) to NTT Shining Arcs (Top League)
Robbie Shaw, scrum half, Leeds (Championship) released
Kevin Swiryn, wing, Agen (Top 14) retired

Canadians
Chauncey O'Toole, flanker, Ospreys (Rabo Pro12) released
Connor McCann, fly half, Ontario Blues (Canadian Rugby Championship) to Clermont Espoirs (Top 14)

Chileans
Pablo Huete, lock, Castres Espoirs (Top 14) to Pau (Pro D2)
Francisco de la Fuente, centre, Auch (Pro D2) released

An update on the situation of Horacio Agulla

Despite having a fantastic season
with Leicester, Horacio Agulla has
been given zero chance by coach
Richard Cockerill of a negotiation
for a new deal for next season

Meanwhile despite some immense form from Horacio Agulla, who has won over many critics, and fans (there is a Facebook campaign for him to stay at Leicester) won player of the season at Leicester, and has been admired as one the best wingers of the season in the Premiership, a position that Argentina now have the luxury of having a back three of Imhoff, Agulla and Amorosino containing three players who are amongst the best in their leagues, never before has Argentina had such depth in their wingers.

The continued form of Agulla made people think it was possible he could negotiate a new deal with Leicester who have said they no longer want him, due to unavailability whilst with Argentina.

however that was just speculation and the Leicester coach Richard Cockerill (the idiot who totally ignored Amorosino for two years) ended it confirming there would be no new deal and hit out at the Argentine governing body (the UAR), saying  "The Argentine Rugby Union have not helped their players and have just thought that the (northern hemisphere) clubs would subsidise their players from June to December, they are going to have difficulties because, I imagine, only the top French clubs could afford to do that."

However I can't imagine Agulla on current form will have many difficulties finding a new club.

Horacio Agulla wins Try of the Year and Player of the Year at Leicester

Despite not being signed on for an extended contract at the Leicester Tigers, Argentine winger Horacio Agulla is a player on top form and this evening he was honored with two prestigious awards at the club´ End of Season Awards. Agulla was voted in for the biggest prize of the night, winning the supporters player of the year. Earlier he won the award for try of the season for his try vs Northampton. The awards continue his extremely impresseive season which has seen him win the club´ player of the month award twice and score six tries for the club as well as having had a hand in setting up others. No doubt the supporters voting in Agulla will send the management a clear message that they should resign and not lose Agulla to a rival club. The future of Agulla remains unknown. He has told Argentine sources that he does have offers to continue in England or return to France. He is aklso open to the possibility of playing Super Rugby.

Agulla has been at the club for two seasons now but has not been offered an extended contract due to the players certain involvement in The Rugby Championship for Los Pumas. The UAR have been trying to reach an agreement with the Leicester Tigers and have been doing the same thing with other clubs who have Pumas players. Thus far nothing has been confirmed despite prop Marcos Ayerza having his contract extended until 2015.

Leicester Tigers Awards Night

Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints


Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers

What to do with Five Inform Wingers?

Horacio Agulla is in the form of his life this season with the Leicester Tigers. He has won the Player of the Month award twice and in addition to scoring six tries he has also been involved in creating others as he has been frequently going off his wing to be used to create options through the centres. Agulla is a working winger much more than being a finisher which explains why he has scored only four tries in his 34 test appearances for Argentina. Still aged only 27, Agulla is Argentina´s most experienced outside back and in 2009 was used as Argentina´s starting fullback. He made his debut as a 21 year old in 2005 vs Samoa.

Lucas González Amorosino scored the try of the World Cup last year to break Scottish hearts and has gone on to play outstanding rugby this season for Montpellier. His try vs Biarritz in his third game for the club set the tone for the rest of the season. Since the World Cup González Amorosino has played fifteen Top 14 matches and three Heineken Cup matches. He began the season on the right wing but has played every match since then at fullback, scoring six tries which all came with him ni the 15 shirt except for his sides home win over Racing Métro. González Amorosino stands a very good chance of winning the award for fullback of the year in the Top 14 and is highly likely to be used by Argentina in this position. He has played 14 tests and scored four tries for Argentina since his test debut vs Chile in December 2007.

Martín Bustos Moyano was left out of the World Cup squad due to carrying a minor injury during the lead up and because the coaches considered his skills to not be of the same level as other contenders. He is an accomplished player both as a winger and a goalkicker but is more famous because of the latter as he got Montpellier into the Top 14 Final last season, the first in the clubs history. The 26 year old has been used in all of the back-three positions by Montpellier and could, indeed, do the same for Argentina. He has only won one international cap, vs Chile in 2008 but his club career tells a different story altogether. He has played more rugby than any of the four other players, due to not playing in New Zealand 2011. This season Bustos Moyano has played 20 Top 14 matches, scoring 197 points including three tries. He has also played five Heineken Cup matches this season, scoring one try.    

Gonzalo Camacho is a player on form in England. Yesterday he was nominated for the award of Game Changer of the season in the Aviva Premiership. He was nominated alongside two other players,  making him one of the top three Game Changers in England and he stands a great chance of winning since the other two are from Sale Sharks, a club that has not impressed this season. The Exeter Chiefs winger has played 14 matches this season in the Aviva Premiership, scoring two tries - against London Irish and Northampton. Camacho has proven to be an 80 minute performer having only been replaced once all season and he has started every match that he played in for the Chiefs. He has also played four Amlin Challenge Cup matches this season and last season scored the winning try for the Harlequins in the final vs Stade Français. The 27 year old has thus far played 11 tests for Argentina, scoring four tries.

Juan Imhoff was an amateur but made the World Cup squad based on his performances for Los Pampas XV in the 2011 Vodacom Cup. His rise is an example of how far one can go in such a short amount of time. Imhoff is a speedster comparable perhaps to Wales´ Shane Williams in that he is small, but runs sharp lines and is difficult to stop. Racing Métro signed Imhoff as a Medical Joker as the club was missing players to injury but in no time he was able to break into the starting XV and has since been there permanently, scoring some great tries and regularly finding space. His first try, vs the Cardiff Blues has been followed by other great tries, the latest being vs Castres in early April. This season Imhoff has scored three tries in the Heineken Cup and three in the Top 14. He has played 18 matches this season for the Parisian club, starting thirteen times on the left wing, four times at fullback and coming into play once from the bench. Despite being a debutant he is a serious contender for the Top 14´s team of the year. Imhoff has played eight tests for Argentina, scoring nine tries. He is certain to be Argentina´s starting left winger this year and beyond as he is only 23 years old.

Could some play out of position?

Yes. Of the five players four have been used out of position for the English or French clubs. Agulla has played, on occassion at outside centre for Leicester and previously was used, at times, by Brive at fullback. Bustos Moyano has played on both wings and fullback for Montpellier while González Amorosino has been the clubs fullback to devastating effect this season. Imhoff was used at fullback but should be considered a specialist winger who can, if necessary, play fullback. 

Goalkicker?

Argentina´s weakness in recent years has been its goalkicking which was particularly clear in Los Pumas´ 13-9 loss to England in Rugby World Cup 2011. Neither Felipe Contepomi nor Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga was able to find the posts that evening in Dunedin and it cost Argentina victory. Argentina also had Santiago Fernández in the starting lineup and Marcelo Bosch was a first half replacement for Gonzalo Tiesi. Both players have been used, at times, to kick goals for their French clubs and have also kicked goals for Argentina. Neither player, however, is a reliable enough option and when both have played for Argentina outside Juan Martín Hernández the goalkicker has always been el Mago. 

Hernández is a better goalkicking option than Rodríguez Gurruchaga, Fernández or Bosch but not notably better. As such, an alternative goalkicker could well be the answer. In close matches goalkicking usually has a lot to do with who wins and who loses, Argentina were on the losing side in Dunedin for this reason. Should Argentina wish to field its best goalkicker then the player to look to would be Martín Bustos Moyano. The Montpellier goalkicker was one of the finds of the 2010-2011 season. His goalkicking accounted for 16 points in Montpellier´s 26-25 win over Racing Métro in the 2011 Top 14 Semi Final in Marseilles. His debut season saw the Córdoba winger score 283 points which made him the seasons third highest points scorer and the leading non-Frenchman. In the current season he has thus far scored 192 points underlining his crendentials as a goalkicker for Los Pumas.  

Could all five play together?

Yes it is indeed a possibility that may well have passed through the mind of Santiago Phelan. If he wanted to field them all it could happen with four starting and a fifth playing on the bench. Gonzalo Tiesi is currently in Pensacola, Florida training hard to return for Argentina this June. The Stade Français centre has only played two matches for the club this season due to injury. His spot could indeed be underthreat from not only Marcelo Bosch, who filled the void very well at the World Cup, but also Horacio Agulla who merits a starting place due to his form. This could see him move to the midfield. With González Amorosino appearing certain for the 15 shirt and Imhoff for the 11 shirt this would mean either Bustos Moyano or Camacho would play in the 14 shirt. If goalkicking is to be a true motivating factor in selection then Bustos Moyano should indeed start , probably, two out of the three June test matches.

The option of having such a lineup would work into the hands of Tati Phelan who has previously gone for the option of selecting a bench with only two back so that he could have the option of two props in he reserves. Should he indeed have Agulla at 13 and Amorosino at 15 then the need for an outside back reserve would appear to be nil. Argentina´s other players can more than make up for what is missing. Should Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga play 12 for Argentina like he has been for Stade Français all season then he could certainly be moved to 13 or 15 if need be. A player like Bosch would be the ideal number 22 in this situation as he has played 10, 12, 13 and 15 for Biarritz during his career with the club. 

Horacio Agulla continues good form for Leicester

Horacio Agulla continued his very good season for Leicester against Northampton this weekend.

Agulla who has pushed former All Black Scott Hamilton out of the Leicester team this season, and won two player of the month awards and also been nominated for Leicester player of the season, showed Leicester what they will be missing next season as he is being released by them due to his upcoming international commitments with Argentina.

Against Northampton Agulla set up a try with a chip kick he gathered himself, a skill we have seen more than once this season (he also used it to score against Worcester), and then offloaded to give Alesana Tuilagi a clear run to the try.

After setting up a try, Agulla scored one himself as Leicester passed the ball down the line and Agulla beat the defence of Northampton's Paul Diggin to finish in the corner, Diggin really should have made a better effort in defence but it was still a good finish by Agulla.

The Rugby Championship Players to Watch - Horacio Agulla

Following the injury to José Mario Nuñez Piossek in Argentina´s final Warm-up match, against Belgium of all teams, before Rugby World Cup 2007, Pumas Headcoach, Marcelo Loffreda was left without a starting winger for France 2007. Lucas Borges was certain to start with Ignacio Corleto being the teams fullback following the positional change of Juan Martín Hernández to flyhalf. This meant that the option of Corleto playing wing was not going to transpire and Argentina would be forced to field a player lacking test match experience just two weeks latter to open the World Cup vs France in Paris. The player who was selected was the then unknown Horacio Agulla. With only five tests caps to his name and still playing as an amateur for Hindu in Buenos Aires, Horacio Agulla was suddenly playing for his country in the biggest match of his life as a 22 year old.

Longo holds Agulla after winning
the Quarter Final vs Scotland

Selected ahead of Hernán Senillosa and Federico Martín Aramburu, the occassion did not get the better of him as his defence proved to be highly effective and it was his intercept pass that won Argentina the match as he latched onto a wobbly pass from Remy Martin before off-loading to Manuel Contepomi who set Ignacio Corleto free for the try which changed the script of Rugby World Cup 2007. With Argentina going through the pool phase undefeated, for the first time in Rugby World Cup history, Agulla was a regular and  after being rested for the clash with Georgia he returned to face Namibia and every match thereafter in the Tournament. He got his name on the try scores sheet as he went over after collecting a pass from backrower Gonzalo Longo which proved decisive in swining a back and forward first half in favor of Los Pumas. 

Agulla´s rise was, indeed from humble beginnings. His rise to Los Pumas came before the PladAR system had been created and of all the players featuring in the 2007 World Cup Semi Finals he was the only amateur player. As Argentina was getting past the difficulties occuring in the country´s rugby set up in the middle stages of the decade, Agulla was one of the role models for Argentina as he had made it into the senior team and stayed there on his own as he didn´t have a professional club or union to sustain him. The 2006 European Tour had been were Agulla had established himself in the Pumas squad. He played in two of Argentina´s three tests. He started vs Italy in Rome on the left wing with Ignacio Corleto playing right wing. One week earlier, he had come on as a replacement vs England in Argentina´s first ever win over England at Twickenham. During the prematch stages of that game Agulla was seen walking with a limp a and it has since become known that he has a physical disorder known as Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome in which his right leg is 3cm longer than his left. As such he walks with a limp and this can be noticed when he is entering the field from the changing sheds. 

Agulla playing French Rugby for Brive

In the aftermath of Rugby World Cup 2007 Agulla was offered a professional contract to play in the Top 14 for the newly promoted Dax. The club struggled to adapt to the demands of the Top 14 and alognside Auch was relegated back to the Pro d2. Agulla had been a regular starter in the team and as such had attracted offers to join rival clubs and he Signed a two year deal to play for Brive from 2008-2010. While at Brive he matured greatly as a player and was a regular in the team playing usually on the wing but occassionaly he was used at fullback. With Corleto being unavaliable to Santiago Phelan and Glasgow Warriors fullback, Bernardo Stortoni´s defensive style not serving Argentina as desired, Agulla was moved to fullback in 2009 for Los Pumas. His first game in the position was vs Ireland at Croke Park in November 2008 and he played there for the next seven tests before returning to the left wing to face Scotland in June 2010.

Try time for Leicester

Phelan had a new fullback, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga who had come through the PladAR system and was heading to Stade Français the following season. Agulla, too, was changing clubs as after two seasons with Brive he took up an offer to play in England for the Leicester Tigers. He linked up with fellow Pumas winger Lucas González Amorosino and loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza. The chance of Agulla and Amorosino forming a combination for Leicester never transpired as te English club used Amorosino so rarely. Agulla, however, was used regularly by Leicester in his first season and started for the club in its Heineken Cup and Aviva Premiership play-offs matches. This put Agulla in good form ahead of the World Cup and he played in all of Los Pumas´ matches, starting them all on the wing.

Following Argentina´s Quarter Finals elimination Agulla returned to Leicester for his second season at the club. The ongoing season has proven to be the best of his career with Agulla winning the award of Player of Month in December and having been the teams starting right winger for all of the Aviva Premiership, Heineken Cup and LV= Cup. He has proven to be indispensible for Leicester yet the club has been not happy with his probable involvement in the 2012 Rugby Championship and as such has said it will be releasing him at the end of the current season. The UAR has been assisting Agulla in negotations for his to remain at the club and Agulla has himself said that his desire is to stay on with Leicester. Should he leave, however, he does have offers from other European clubs and Agulla has also said he is open to the possibility of playing Super Rugby. But his commitment to the Pumas jersey is what drives him. Given the choice of a professional salary at Leicester or playing in The Rugby Championship, Agulla has said he would choose Los Pumas. His attitude is comendable and an indication of the quality of a man that is Horacio Agulla. He is also a quality player with plenty left to give as he is still only 27 years old and remains a strong candidate to compete at a third Rugby World Cup. 

Week One: Juan Manuel Leguizamón

Week Two: Lucas González Amorosino

Week Three: Marcelo Bosch

Week Four: Agustín Creevy

Week Five: Juan Martín Hernández 
Week Six: Martín Bustos Moyano
Week Seven: Leonardo Senatore

Week Eight: Rodrigo Roncero
Week Nine: Gonzalo Camacho
Week Ten: Patricio Albacete
Week Eleven: Horacio Agulla
Week Twelve: Juan Figallo