Santiago Carreras injury: Bath back ruled out for season in blow to Argentina

Santiago Carreras injury news has dealt Argentina a major blow before their Nations Championship opener against Ireland, with the Bath back ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Mateo Soler replaces Carreras in Felipe Contepomi’s squad, while Rodrigo Martínez Manzano comes in for injured prop Thomas Gallo. Matías Moroni has also joined the group as Argentina assess Santiago Chocobares.

Santiago Carreras injury: what Bath have confirmed

Bath’s official medical update confirms that Carreras has sustained a ruptured ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old was injured during the first half of Bath’s 23-5 defeat at Gloucester on Friday 23 October. His absence removes a player capable of covering fly-half and full-back from Argentina’s November plans.

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said the club would support Carreras through his rehabilitation.

“Santi is one of our most important players and we’ll look after him very well in the coming months,” he said, as reported by BBC Sport via AOL.

Who replaces Santiago Carreras for Argentina?

Soler takes Carreras’ place after making his Test debut as a replacement against Australia last month, RugbyPass reported.

His call-up gives him another opportunity to establish himself at international level, with Argentina facing three away Tests before the Nations Championship finals weekend.

There is also a change in the front row. Dragons prop Martínez Manzano replaces Gallo, who has undergone surgery on his left wrist after being injured while playing club rugby in France, Reuters reported.

Player called up	Reason
Mateo Soler	Replaces Santiago Carreras following his knee injury
Rodrigo Martínez Manzano	Replaces Thomas Gallo following wrist surgery
Matías Moroni	Provides cover while Santiago Chocobares is assessed

Matías Moroni called up as Chocobares remains a doubt

Moroni’s inclusion gives the experienced centre a chance to reach 100 Test appearances during the November programme.

Chocobares remains in doubt following a head knock while playing for Toulouse. Moroni’s call-up provides cover while his availability is assessed; it does not confirm that Chocobares will miss the entire programme.

The Argentina squad have been attending a three-day camp in London, ending on Wednesday. They will reconvene early next week before travelling into their opening match preparations, Reuters reported.

When do Argentina play Ireland?

Argentina begin their November programme against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 6 November. Kick-off is at 8.10pm GMT, according to the IRFU’s official fixture list.

They then face Italy and France before a further match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The official Nations Championship schedule confirms that finals weekend runs from 27 to 29 November.

Date	Fixture
Friday 6 November	Ireland vs Argentina — Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm GMT
Saturday 14 November	Italy vs Argentina
Saturday 21 November	France vs Argentina
27–29 November	Nations Championship finals weekend — Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

Ireland also have a significant concern in their backline. Garry Ringrose is unlikely to feature in their three November home fixtures because of a hamstring problem, as covered in our Garry Ringrose injury update.

Guy Pepper also ruled out of Nations Championship

Carreras was not Bath’s only international injury casualty at Kingsholm. Guy Pepper suffered an ankle injury in the second half, and the club have confirmed he will be unavailable for the Nations Championship.

Read our England injury update on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Fin Smith for more on Borthwick’s availability concerns.

Bath have received better news elsewhere: Will Muir, Henry Arundell and Tom de Glanville have resumed team training.

Santiago Carreras injury: your questions answered

What injury does Santiago Carreras have?

Bath have confirmed that Carreras has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. He was injured against Gloucester on 23 October.

When will Santiago Carreras return?

Bath say he will miss the remainder of the season. No specific comeback date has been announced.

Who replaces Carreras in Argentina’s squad?

Mateo Soler replaces him for the Nations Championship programme, which begins against Ireland on Friday 6 November.