Selknam supply 32 of 37 as Chile name Nations Cup squad for July window

Pablo Lemoine has named a 37-man Chile squad for the July window of the 2026 Nations Cup, with an extraordinary 32 of those players coming from domestic Super Rugby Americas franchise Selknam. The Cóndores will host Romania, Hong Kong China and Georgia across three weeks in Santiago, Viña del Mar and La Serena.

The headline returnee is Racing 92 hooker Diego Escobar, who missed Chile’s last Test — a 34-19 defeat to Italy — but featured in 21 of 32 matches for the Ciel et Blanc this season. Lemoine expects the front-rower to bring added consistency to Chile’s set-piece.

Only four players based outside Chile made the cut. Lock Javier Eissmann (SU Agen), loose forward Matías Dittus (CS Annonay), outside back Iñaki Ayarza (US Oyonnax) and utility back Santiago Videla (Chicago Hounds) are the sole overseas operators in the squad.

Among the Selknam contingent, captain and back-rower Clemente Saavedra, scrum-half Lucas Berti and fly-half Rodrigo Fernández are expected to be central to Chile’s campaign. Eight uncapped players were also included, with tighthead prop Baltazar Gurruchaga and centre Rodrigo Araya highlighted as the most promising newcomers.

Two notable absentees are both carrying injuries. Hooker Augusto Böhme and back-rower Martín Singren — the latter only recently returning after a year on the sidelines — were left out as neither is considered ready for Test-match rugby. Lock Vittorio Lastra was also omitted after agreeing to join Nationale side Stade Montois, while Nicolás Garafulic, Tomas Salas and Benjamín Videla were among the other Selknam players not selected.