Argentina have unveiled an experienced squad of 12 to compete in the third and fourth legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington, New Zealand and San Diego, USA, including former captain Lucio Lopez Fleming.
In addition, a different Puma men's squad will join the Argentina women's outfit in competing this weekend at the South American continental championships in Brazil.
The Pumas impressed in the first two events of the IRB Series in Dubai and South Africa, reaching the Cup semi finals in George, and currently sit fifth in the standings behind South Africa, New Zealand, England and Fiji.
The recall of Lopez Fleming is a bold statement of intent by the Argentine management, and a sign of things to come from all the teams ahead of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March.
The diminutive playmaker last competed on the Sevens World Series in Singapore in April 2006, when Argentina lost to Fiji 26-7 in the Cup semi final.
Winning pedigree
He led Argentina to their only ever Series Cup victory, in Los Angeles in 2004, when they memorably overcame New Zealand in the final, and was one of a number of Sevens players involved in the 25-all draw against the 2005 British & Irish Lions in Cardiff.
He also represented Argentina A at the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup.
Lopez Fleming comes into a settled side already in possession of Sevens' all-time leading try-scorer Santiago Gomez Cora, who passed the 200 mark at the end of 2008.
At Wellington's NZI Sevens the Pumas face England, Canada and France in Pool C, while the USA Sevens has drawn them against Fiji, Wales and Mexico in Pool D.
South American Sevens championships
Lopez Fleming and Gomez Cora will, however, hot be involved in the South American Sevens Championships this weekend.
A different squad of Argentine men's players will compete at the event in San Jose Dos Campos, Brazil.
In the men's draw Argentina line up alongside Uruguay, who will also compete at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru.
Meanwhile, the women's competition gives the Brazilian squad a chance to hone their preparations on home soil ahead of the World Cup.
Brazil's women were the first team to qualify for the first ever women's World Cup Sevens, and are unbeaten in South America over the past four years.
They face the combined challenge of Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Paraguay.
Argentina Sevens squad for Wellington & USA: Facundo Barni, Dino Tomás Caceres, Gonzalo Oscar Camacho, Ramiro José del Busto, Agustín Figuerola, Pablo Marcelo Gomez Cora, Santiago Gomez Cora, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Lucio Lopez Fleming, Martín Miguel Nunez Lasalle, Martin Rodriguez, Horacio Alberto San Martin
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