WORCESTER Warriors appear to be losing the tug of war to keep ‘patriotic’ Argentinians Agustin Creevy and Leonardo Senatore at Sixways.
The duo have featured regularly for the Greene King IPA Championship leaders since they returned from international duty in December.
But it looks like Dean Ryan faces a battle to retain the services of Senatore and Creevy beyond this season as the lure of a return to their home country increases.
In 2016, a Super Rugby franchise will be created in Argentina which is set to attract the country’s best players who are looking to strengthen their chances of representing Pumas.
Ryan said he was behind the move by the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR). However, he insisted it had left players in difficult situations as he believed it would “tug on many players’ heart strings”, including Senatore and Creevy whose contracts at Worcester run out at the end of the season.
“We have got Argentinians here who are patriotic and are caught a little bit in the middle,” Ryan said.
“You have got to understand what they are doing and you have got to understand the power of playing for your country, so it is something which is playing out at the moment.
“I have spoken at length with Gus and we are all in the picture of what is going on and as and when that gets some clarity we will communicate it.
“But there is nothing to be read into it other than a scenario which is being played out in the background.”
Creevy has become a fans’ favourite at Warriors since joining from Top 14 outfit Montpellier in 2013. But Ryan said he understood how crucial the 29-year-old was to rugby in Argentina.
“He is pretty popular in his own country and I think if you look at it from the other side you would understand how important Gus is to that franchise,” Ryan said.
“He is a national captain and he was named in the world 15 off the back of the Rugby Championship, so you have got to understand how that is played out.
“It is not just about people making conscious choices as there are lots of things evolving around the outside which involves Gus, involve us and involve the Argentinian Union and when we get more clarity on it then we will let you know.”
Caption: Leonardo Senatore could leave Worcester Warriors. Picture by Andy Baldwin.