Racing prop Martin Castrogiovanni. Photo / Getty
For some time, from this southern hemisphere sideline, Racing 92's Martin Castrogiovanni has been a pantomime prop.
Maybe his thoughts are lost in translation which makes him go-to fodder for the frenzied English rags. Perfect for the cameras too with his shaggy long hair and an affection for the
lens.
He meshes into the old stereotype about ideal props being massive men able to follow a few directions who were then turned around at halftime to do more battle.
No one apparently has been doing much navigation for Castrogiovanni these days, he has been plotting his own course.
Castrogiovanni told his Racing 92 club he had to attend an urgent family matter in Argentina and could not be with the squad for their Champions Cup semifinal against Leicester in Nottingham. Earlier in his career he spent seven years at Leicester where he co-owns Timo, an Italian restaurant.