Argentina’s internal struggle between selecting their best players, and rewarding the loyalty of those home-based internationals who led the Jaguares to this year’s Super Rugby final, has resulted in a notable absentee from Mario Ledesma’s 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup. The main victim has been Facundo Isa, the Toulon No 8, Argentina’s best back-row for getting over the gain-line and one of the best players in his position in Europe. When Argentina relaxed their overseas player rule, it felt as though the main benefit would be Isa’s reintegration back into the national side. Argentina love width but need muscle up the middle to create that, hence Isa’s importance. Argentina do not have a better ball-carrier. “I was convinced more by other players (than Isa),” Ledesma told reporters after naming his squad. “I wanted to give priority to those playing at home over those based abroad. Contrary to what sections of the media thought, Facundo was not a certain choice.” With the greatest respect, he should have been.