ITALY

Pumas get `French` reinforcements

Monday 23rd June 2008

Star of the show: Juan Martin Hernandez

Argentina and Italy will welcome back a few key players ahead of their Test at the Estadio Olimpico in Cordoba on Saturday.

Stade Français players, Juan Martin Hernandez, Rodrigo Roncero and Nani Corleto returned to Argentina following the Parisian club's 31-13 defeat to Toulouse in the French Top 14 semi-finals on Sunday.

Hernandez, who was one of the Pumas' stars at last year's World Cup, will be particularly welcome as Argentina, ranked third in the world, approach something close to their strongest line-up.

The Pumas recently drew their two match series with Scotland with a below-strength team and will host a much depleted Italy who lost 26-0 to the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday.

Italy will be looking to repeat their historic 30-29 victory over Argentina at the same ground in 2005. The Azzurri should welcome back another Stade Français player in the form of their world class number eight and Six Nations captain, Sergio Parisse.