England v Argentina: Rodrigo Isgro takes aim at England and Marcus Smith

London had been the destination for Isgro’s first ever overseas trip, an appearance at the glitzy, if short-lived, Rugby X event at the O2 Arena in 2019.

Getting used to day-to-day life in his new hometown of Guildford was hard though. But it would have been even harder without his team-mates – and one in particular.

“Marcus [Smith] is a very good friend,” adds Mendoza-born Isgro.

“He was really good when I arrived in England. He gave up a lot of time for me, as well as patience and understanding.

“My English was not very good – I didn’t speak it. He is a really good friend, he drinks ‘mate’ with me every day.”

As well as the traditional South American herbal drink – a favourite of Argentina footballing legend Lionel Messi – England fly-half Smith would share lifts into training with Isgro.

They linked well together on the pitch too. A quarter of an hour into Isgro’s debut against Bath, Smith cut blind, chipped across field and the winger claimed the ball over the head of his opposite number for a try.

Isgro scored another before half-time and has been something of a cult hero at the Stoop ever since, extending his contract in January.

“It was hard because the language is different but I grew up a lot, both with my personality and in the game,” he says.

“It was a really good challenge and now I feel really good. I was scared before, and now I am happy that I feel comfortable here.”