Argentina omits French Cup finalists from Nations Championship opener

Argentina's coach Felipe Contepomi has opted not to select key players involved in the French Top 14 final for the team's inaugural Nations Championship match against Scotland on July 4. The Toulouse trio of lock Efrain Elias and backs Santiago Chocobares and Juan Cruz Mallia, along with Montpellier flyhalf Domingo Miotti, will miss the Cordoba clash.

Montpellier and Toulouse are set to compete for the French club championship title at the Stade de France on Saturday. While these players are unavailable for the Scotland match, Contepomi indicated they could be considered for subsequent games against Wales and England in July, though fullback Mallia is currently injured.

Contepomi emphasized the inclusion of development players, a strategy he has employed for the past two years. "As we have done over the last two years, the squad will include development players, which is extremely important for us as it allows us to get to know them better and prepare them for the future," he stated. The selected squad features six players from Super Rugby Americas, with Agustin Fraga, Mateo Soler, Nicolas Roger, and Faustino Sanchez Valarolo receiving their first call-ups.

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As we have done over the last two years, the squad will include development players, which is extremely important for us as it allows us to get to know them better and prepare them for the future.