Second row blow for Pumas

Toulouse and Argentina lock Patricio Albacete needs surgery on an eye-socket injury and will be out of action for a month.


"Albacete neeeds an operation and he'll need 30 days to recover," the UAR confirmed.


Toulouse had originally asked Argentina to leave Albacete at his club for a key Top-14 clash with local rivals Montpellier next weekend on the eve of Argentina's European tour Test with Wales in Cardiff.


But in Thursday's Top-14 game with Racing-Metro he took a nasty knock.


The UAR have also freed two key Biarritz players - prop Marcelo Kodela and centre Marcelo Bosch - for their clash with Perpignan on November 10.


They too miss the trip to Cardiff but will be free for the game against France in Lille November 17.


On a happier note, Argentina have recalled former captain, 35-year-old Felipe Contepomi, who last played for the Pumas in the 59-10 thrashing by France in June.


Albacete will be replaced by Tomas Vallejos, and Kodela and Bosch by Argentina-based Juan Gomez and Contepomi.

AFP