Portugal squad missing two title-winning heroes but legend returns

Portugal are heading to North America with a star-packed roster, as Samuel Marques, Manuel Vareiro, Cody Thomas, Vincent Pinto, and José Madeira are all set to feature for the Lobos at the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup.

With Portugal’s training camp having started two weeks ago, head coach Simon Mannix has only been able to count on his key players since Monday, with US Carcassonne’s Marques already working with the group.

The scrum-half, who has been central to Portugal’s rise over the last five years, is expected to start against the United States on Saturday week, after missing Portugal’s last two Tests against Spain and Georgia.

Rising star Manuel Vareiro completed his mandatory rest period after being involved in Provence’s attempt to earn promotion to the Top 14, boosting Portugal’s chances of a positive campaign.

Head-to-Head

Last 3 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

1

Wins

1

Average Points scored

19

26

First try wins

67%

Home team wins

33%

José Madeira (USA Perpignan) and Tomás Appleton (CDUL) will share the captaincy, as they’ve already done in the Rugby Europe Championship.

Jordan Lee Bacon and Tomás Baptista are the only uncapped players to have made the squad, and could earn their first caps in the coming weeks.

However, Portugal will be without Rodrigo Marta and Nicolás Martins, as both have been rested to ensure they begin the season with their new clubs in the best possible condition.

Marta, who is joining Section Paloise after three seasons with Colomiers, played a colossal role in the Lobos’ Rugby Europe Championship success, scoring seven tries to help his side lift the title for the first time in more than 23 years.

As for Martins, the back-rower is nursing a minor injury and is expected to sign for Racing 92 in the next few weeks.

US Dax’s Diogo Hasse Ferreira, CDUP’s Nuno Sousa Guedes, and CF “Os Belenenses”’ David Wallis will also miss out due to injury, with none expected to recover in time to be included in the final squad.

Portugal begin their Nations Cup campaign against the USA on July 4, followed by matches against Canada on the 11th and Tonga on the 18th, with Mannix’s side currently enjoying a seven-game winning streak.

Portugal

Forwards: Abel Cunha (unattached / 14 caps), Cody Thomas (FC Grenoble / 13 caps), António Prim (GD Direito / 18 caps), Luís Lopes (GD Direito / 7 caps), Pedro Vicente (Agronomia Rugby / 9 caps), Luka Begic (Biarritz Olympique / 22 caps), Nuno Mascarenhas (GDS Cascais / 25 caps), Santiago Lopes (GDS Cascais / 6 caps), Duarte Nunes (GD Direito/ 4 caps), Duarte Torgal (GD Direito / 35 caps), Guilherme Costa (Técnico Rugby / 6 caps), Martim Bello (GDS Cascais / 21 caps), José Madeira (USA Perpignan / 50 caps), João Granate (GD Direito / 44 caps), André da Cunha (CF ‘Os Belenenses’ / 3 caps), José Monteiro (CDUL / 5 caps).

Backs: Hugo Camacho (SC Albi / 16 caps), Pedro Lucas (Técnico Rugby / 22 caps), Samuel Marques (Carcassonne / 36 caps), Domingos Cabral (Agronomia Rugby / 6 caps), Hugo Aubry (Unattached / 13 caps), Tomás Appleton (CDUL / 89 caps), Guilherme Vasconcelos (SL Benfica / 8 caps), Jordan Bacon (Gordon Rugby CLub / uncapped), Alfredo Almeida (GDS Cascais / uncapped), Vincent Pinto (US Colomiers / 26 caps), Raffaele Storti (FC Grenoble / 36 caps), Manuel Cardoso Pinto (Agronomia Rugby / 48 caps), Martim Faro (CDUL / 1 cap), Tomás Baptista (RC Lousã / uncapped) and Manuel Vareiro (Provence Rugby / 13 caps).