This Mate-Sipping English Capital Import Aiming to Defeat the English Team
Isgro has achieved three scores in three appearances at the Allianz Stadium, competing against opposing teams in Harlequins' major annual games and the South African team in an adjusted tournament fixture.
Quilter Nations Series: The Pumas vs England
Venue: The Allianz Stadium at Twickenham Match Day: Sunday, 23 November Start Time: 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time
Broadcast Details: Available on BBC Sounds and Radio 5 Sports Extra with real-time text updates on the official BBC Sport platforms.
From the shadow of the Andes to the shadow of the Allianz Stadium is a journey of about 7,000 miles.
In the recent autumn months, the athlete experienced every one of them.
Sporting a conquistador moustache and thighs as thick as a gaucho's steak, the culture shock was severe when the Argentine international arrived at Harlequins.
It wasn't just a new country, a different team and an unfamiliar language, but also a different format of the game.
"For the past five years I had played sevens and I came to England with only a few matches of fifteen-a-side," reflects the Argentine.
This twenty-six-year-old dominated in sevens rugby - the Olympic rings tattooed on the inside of his right bicep serve as a reminder of a bronze medal achievement in the Tokyo Games.
Last year, he was honored as the world's best sevens player.
He might have remained in sevens rugby and enjoyed a globe-trotting circuit with established teammates.
However, post-invitation into Argentina's traditional rugby team by at that time coach Michael Cheika for last year's World Cup, he made the full transition by joining Harlequins in the next season.
Isgro was part of the Argentina sevens side that secured the bronze medal at the Summer Games in the Japanese capital in 2021.
London represented the location for his initial international journey, a participation at the glitzy, if short-lived, Rugby X event at the O2 venue in the year 2019.
Getting used to daily routine in his new hometown of Guildford was hard though.
But it would have been more challenging without his fellow players - and one in particular.
"Marcus [Smith] is a close friend," states Isgro, born in Mendoza.
"His support was invaluable during my arrival in England. He gave up a lot of time for me, as well as forbearance and empathy.
"My English skills were limited - I didn't speak it. He remains a true friend, he drinks 'mate' with me every day."
As well as the customary herbal beverage - preferred by soccer great Lionel Messi - national team fly-half Smith would provide transportation to practice with his teammate.
They combined successfully on the pitch too.
A quarter of an hour into his first appearance against the Bath team, Smith changed angles, kicked across the pitch and the Argentine secured possession above his direct opponent for a try.
The player notched a second score in the first half and became somewhat of a fan favorite at Harlequins' home ground subsequently, extending his contract in the winter month.
"The transition proved difficult because English differed from Spanish but I matured significantly, both personally and in the game," he says.
"It was a really good challenge and presently I'm very comfortable. I felt nervous initially, and now I am happy that I've adapted well."
The player scores for an inaugural score for Harlequins in the autumn of 2024.
On Sunday, he and Smith will be competing against each other from the Stoop and facing one another when England and Argentina meet at the national stadium in the last fixture of their autumn campaigns.
The Argentine leads a group of Argentine Premiership players targeting England.
The Saracens player is at the Premiership side, Santiago Carreras at Bath Rugby, Simon Benitez Cruz newly joined the Falcons, while Rubiolo and Grondona are at Bristol Bears.
Three additional Argentines have all arrived at Quins this season.
"We regularly meet up," states the winger. "Once or twice weekly.
"Experienced player Creevy resides in Kingston and we gather at his house for a barbeque.
"The Saracens players are based in the northern area. The Argentina players at Quins live in the south, in their training base, and we gather at Creevy's home."
We've accumulated many experiences to chew over, along with the grilled food.
Argentina defeated England during their previous encounter at the English headquarters in two years ago and since then have beaten South Africa, the All Blacks, France and the Wallabies, along with upsetting the Lions' inaugural match in Ireland in summer months with a four-point win.
Is the player convinced the world's number six team are underrated by the home nation's fans that has seen their team rack up 10 straight wins and {beat the All Blacks|defeat New Zealand|overcome the All Blacks
