Biarritz centre Martin Gaitan has been called in to the Argentina squad by coach Marcello Loffredo to replace Pumas captain Lisandro Arbizu who injured his right knee in the 73-0 trial win over a Tucaman selection on Friday 12 September.
Gaitan, 25, is from Entire Rios in the Province of Paruna, beginning his career at the Estudiantes club before moving to study in Buenos Aires and play for Athletico San Isidro from where he was selected to play sevens for Argentina.
From Amateur to professional
Gaitan will play his first Rugby World Cup after getting his first full international call up in September 2002.
He was signed by French club Biarritz during the training camp for overseas based Argentinan players in Narbonne of that year.
In 2003 the centre won Pumas selection for the Pan American tournament, scoring tries in three of four tests against the United States, Uruguay and Chile.
He also played in both home victories over France in the 2003 season and later scored twice in the Argentina A 30-30 draw with South Africa.
Arbizu out for six months
An MRI scan on Sunday confirmed the worst fears of the Argentina camp that skipper Lisandro Arbizu has ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee requiring knee reconstruction surgery, sidelining the world class centre for at least six months.
Arbizu suffered the same injury to his left knee in 1994 and the same doctor that operated that time will do so again.
In 84 tests for Argentina Arbizu has scored 172 points (12 tries, 11 drop goals, 19 penalties and 11 conversions) after debuting against Ireland in 1990.