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Argentina name 29-man squad

Buenos Aires - Argentina have opted for mainly local players in a 29-man rugby squad named on Friday for the three home Tests in June against Italy and France.

Most of the Pumas' stars play in Europe, but coach Santiago Phelan has summoned only nine based there, headed by captain Felipe Contepomi and veteran prop Rodrigo Roncero, both of whom play their club rugby in France.

Phelan has called on 15 domestic players to give them experience and rest his bigger names for their Rugby Championship debut.

"Putting the team together was special because the players who are going to the Rugby Championship are obliged to rest. It will be a chance for many players to get experience," Phelan told the newspaper La Nacion.

Argentina face Italy on June 9 in San Juan, then France on June 16 in Cordoba, and a week later in Tucuman.

He will reportedly name a second squad soon with 24 European-based players for the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa on August 18 in Cape Town.

Argentina squad:

Belisario Agulla, Gabriel Ascarate, Rodrigo Baez, Facundo Barrea, Andres Bordoy, Rodrigo Bruno, Felipe Contepomi (captain), Tomas Cubelli, Tomas De la Vega, Julio Farias Cabello, Genaro Fessia, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Agustin Gosio, Eusebio Guinazu, Santiago Nicolas Guzman, Pablo Henn, Martin Landajo, Tomas Leonardi, Benjamin Macome, Ignacio Mieres, Roman Miralles, Manuel Montero, Matias Orlando, Bruno Postiglioni, Rodrigo Roncero, Leonardo Senatore, Francisco Tetaz Chaparro, Joaquin Tuculet, Benjamin Urdapilleta.

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