Los Pumitas M20 Prepare for Junior Rugby World Championship in Georgia

Argentina’s Los Pumitas M20 squad will compete in the World Rugby Junior World Championship from June 27 to July 18 in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, Georgia. Head coach Nicolás Fernández Miranda has confirmed a 30-player roster for the 16-nation tournament, which introduces a new trial to reduce tackle height. The team is finalizing preparations at Casa Pumas through Friday the 19th.

Who is on the Los Pumitas M20 roster?

Head coach Nicolás Fernández Miranda selected 30 players for the international competition. The squad includes three representatives from the Unión de Rugby de Rosario (URR): Federico Narváez of Atlético del Rosario, Benjamín Ordiz of Los Caranchos, and Juan Preumayr of Jockey Club Rosario.

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Other regional selections include Bautista Benavides (Santa Fe Rugby), Basilio Cañas and Bautista Lescano (Estudiantes), and Franco Marizza (Paraná Rowing). The remaining roster consists of Jeremy Annand, Nicolás Cambiasso, Fabrizio Cebron, Ramón Fernández, Felipe Hygonenq, Benjamín Ledesma Arocena, Joaquín Pascual Viale, Bautista Quiroga Miguens, Valentino Reggiardo, Tiziano Rocha, Pascal Senillosa, Jerónimo Sorondo, Luciano Avaca, Manuel Giannantonio, Federico Torre, Bautista Salinas Mallea, Federico Serpa, Laureano Valle, Tomás Dande, Benjamín Farias Cerioni, Simón Pfister, Pedro Coll, and Manuel Cuneo Camargo.

Did You Know? The upcoming World Rugby Junior World Championship will be the first international competition to implement a trial specifically designed to reduce the height of the tackle.

How does the World Rugby Junior World Championship format work?

The tournament features 16 countries divided into four groups of four teams. Group stage matches are scheduled for June 27, July 2, and July 7. According to the tournament structure, only the winners of each group will advance directly to the semifinals.

Resúmen Los Pumitas 25 vs Australia 6 | Rugby ChampionShip M20 2024 | UAR | FREE-KICK RUGBY

Teams finishing second in their groups will compete for fifth through eighth place. Third- and fourth-place teams will play to determine rankings from ninth to twelfth and thirteenth to sixteenth, respectively. The semifinals are set for July 13, and the final will take place on July 18 at the Estadio Mikheil Meskhi in Tbilisi.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the strict progression format—where only group winners reach the semifinals—places immense pressure on the opening matches. A single loss in the group stage could potentially eliminate a team’s chance to compete for the title, shifting the focus toward high-stakes consistency.

What may happen next for the team?

Los Pumitas may face tactical adjustments as they adapt to the tackle height trial during their matches in Georgia. Depending on their group stage performance, the team could move into the championship bracket or shift toward placement matches to determine their final global ranking.

The team’s ability to execute the strategies refined at Casa Pumas will likely determine if they reach the final at Estadio Mikheil Meskhi on July 18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the World Rugby Junior World Championship be held?
The tournament will take place in the cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi in Georgia.

How many players were called up for the Los Pumitas squad?
Head coach Nicolás Fernández Miranda confirmed a plantel of 30 players.

When is the tournament final?
The final is scheduled for July 18 at the Estadio Mikheil Meskhi in Tbilisi.

How do you think the new tackle height trial will affect the style of play in this tournament?