Last week we had a tough loss in Italy. As I had already mentioned, the game in Treviso was very important in our hopes of qualifying for the play-offs of the Guinness Pro14.

After the unexpected loss at home to the Cardiff Blues, the pressure grew exponentially as there are few games left, less points to win and the error margin is smaller.

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The team arrived in Italy on the Friday for the game the following game and even if we knew that they were in good form, more so at home with their vocal support, we had our hopes that we could turn around what had happened in Edinburgh.

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In an ultra-tough game, in which defenses were stronger than the attack, the home side won. We didn’t create sufficient scoring opportunities and never managed to get our game going. The final score was close only because they also missed their fair share of opportunities.

The frustration was borne on that another chance escaped us with a direct opponent for the quarterfinal berth.

But we are far from dead; although we can’t allow ourselves to have another game like the one against Treviso. I didn’t travel this time so it was nerve-wracking watching from a distance.

One of the biggest games in the history of the club is fast approaching, the European Cup quarterfinal, at home, against Munster. It is very much in our minds.

Having said this, we can’t allow ourselves to think too far ahead; we first need to win points in the Guinness Pro14 and then, in a better state, think of that quarterfinal game.

Los Pumas

It was also quite a week in Argentina with Los Pumas coach Mario Ledesma talking about the inclusion in the national team of overseas-based players.

He made strong statements, taking into account that up to now there were many doubts on that subject.

He has now put the ball in the European clubs court, letting them know that the national team will select whomever they feel they need, regardless of the individual contractual situation.

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Understandably, European clubs were not too keen on hiring Argentine players after their inclusion in the Rugby Championship as it meant that they wouldn’t be around for quite a chunk of time in the first half of the season.This also meant players were physically jaded.

After Rugby World Cup 2015 and the Unión Argentina de Rugby’s decision not to use those players overseas, clubs changed their stance as they no longer had to think about the level of availability their players would have.

Today, after Ledesma’s statement, this has again become an issue as overseas players might be selected for Los Pumas. This will generate meetings with employees and employers.

All of this, a few months away from Japan.

We will be following this developing story from close.