Thirty-two of Chile's 37-man Nations Cup squad come from one team

Pablo Lemoine has announced Chile’s squad for the July window of the 2026 Nations Cup, with several of the Cóndores’ main headliners included in the 37-player squad.

Racing 92’s hooker Diego Escobar makes a return to the team after missing Chile’s last test, in which they lost 34-19 against Italy. Escobar enjoyed a great season for the Ciel et Blanc, featuring in 21 of 32 matches, and the front-rower is expected to bring added consistency to Chile’s set-piece.

Lock Javier Eissmann (SU Agen), loose forward Matías Dittus (CS Annonay), outside back Iñaki Ayarza (US Oyonnax), and utility back Santiago Videla (Chicago Hounds) are the four and last abroad operators that are set to get involved in Chile’s campaign.

This means that the vast majority of Chile’s roster comes from Chile’s Super Rugby Americas franchise Selknam, with prop Javier Carrasco, hooker Iñaki Gurruchaga, back-rower and captain Clemente Saavedra, scrum-half Lucas Berti, and fly-half Rodrigo Fernández among the key figures set to take the field in July.
Eight uncapped players were also named, with tighthead prop Baltazar Gurruchaga and centre Rodrigo Araya standing out as the most exciting prospects.

As for omissions, Chile won’t be able to rely on hooker Augusto Böhme (Selknam) and back-rower Martín Singren (Selknam) as both are nursing injuries and looking to make a return to form. Singren, who spent the last year on the sidelines and has only recently returned from injury, is not yet fit for Test match level.

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World Rugby Nations Cup

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4 Jul 26

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Lock Vittorio Lastra was also left out of the squad as he is bound to join Nationale’s Stade Montois ranks. Finally, Nicolás Garafulic (Selknam), Tomas Salas (Selknam) and Benjamín Videla (Selknam) were also omitted from the roster.

Chile will be hosting Romania, Hong Kong China and Georgia for the next three weeks, welcoming their Nations Cup rivals in Santiago, Viña del Mar and La Serena.

Chile’s squad for the 2026 Nations Cup

Forwards: Norman Aguayo (Selknam), Javier Carrasco (Selknam), Salvador Lues (Selknam), Emilio Shea (Selknam), Jorge Delgado (Selknam), Diego Escobar (Racing 92), Raimundo Martínez (Selknam), Matías Dittus (Annonay), Baltazar Gurruchaga (Selknam), Iñaki Gurruchaga (Selknam), Javier Eissmann (SU Agen), Santiago Pedrero (Selknam), Bruno Sáez (Selknam), Max Schlesinger Cifuentes (Selknam), Santiago Valenzuela (Selknam), Alfonso Escobar (Selknam), Clemente Saavedra (Selknam), Ernesto Tchimino (Selknam) and Augusto Villanueva (Selknam).

Backs: Lucas Berti (Selknam), Juan Bianchi (Selknam), Marcelo Torrealba (Selknam), Rodrigo Fernández (Selknam), Juan Reyes (Selknam), Rodrigo Araya (Selknam), Martín Escobar (Selknam), Matías Garafulic (Selknam), Nicolás Saab (Selknam), Domingo Saavedra (Selknam), Santiago Videla (Chicago Hounds), Marco Alvano (Selknam), Clemente Armstrong (Selknam), Manuel Bustamante (Selknam), Iñaki Ayarza (US Oyonnax), Cristobal Game (Selknam), Felipe Méndez (Selknam) and Luca Strabucchi (Selknam).