Argentina call up uncapped Sevens star Wade as Montoya faces HIA test before Italy clash

Argentina have bolstered their squad with four new additions ahead of Saturday’s Test against Italy in Genoa, with captain Julián Montoya’s availability uncertain after he sustained a head injury during Friday night’s 42-12 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

Montoya, who has captained Los Pumas more times than any other player in the team’s history, is currently undergoing the Head Injury Assessment protocol. Should he be ruled out, Pablo Matera is the likely successor as skipper, having led the side in three Tests during August and September.

To cover Montoya’s potential absence at hooker, Argentina have called up Bautista Bernasconi and Facundo Bosch. Bernasconi holds three caps and Bosch 11, though neither has started a Test match.

The most eye-catching addition is Tobias Wade, an uncapped utility back from Zebre who was brought in to replace Juan Cruz Mallia, sidelined by the knee injury he sustained at the Aviva Stadium. Wade built his reputation on the Sevens circuit, winning 10 tournament titles with Los Pumas Sevens between 2022 and 2025 before transitioning to the fifteens game. He joined Zebre after a standout campaign with Los Pampas in their 2026 Super Rugby Americas title-winning season.

The fourth new face is prop Matias Medrano, who comes in as a replacement for Rodrigo Martinez and could also make his Test debut in Genoa.

Separately, back-row forward Facundo Isa has returned to the training camp after being released to feature for Pau in the Top 14. The 33-year-old earned the last of his 53 caps against England in July 2025.

Argentina arrive in Italy having lost five of their most recent matches, with the Ireland defeat the heaviest setback of that run. They will, however, draw confidence from a formidable record against the Azzurri — nine consecutive wins dating back to 2008, including a 50-18 victory in Udine in 2024 that extended their record winning margin in the fixture for the third successive meeting.