Americas Greatest 25 from the Pro 12

Who have been the greatest 25 Americas players in the Pro 12? Americas Rugby News has tackled this question and has come up with a list. The structure of the league has changed significantly over the years, starting as the 10-team Celtic League in 2001, and expanding to 12 teams with the addition of two Italian sides in 2010. In both incarnations, Americas players have always played a significant role.

25 – Dan Dorsey (Swansea 2002-2003)
A converted American football lineman, Dorsey was a heavyweight prop known for powerful play in the contact area. After making his Eagles debut in 2001, he spent a season with Swansea in the 2002-03 Celtic League after joining from Bath. During his career he made 9 Champions Cup appearances.

24 – Eusebio Guiñazú (Munster 2014-2015)
The versatile Pumas front rower reinvented himself as a hooker after starting primarily as a prop. After several years floating between eight clubs in France, South Africa, and England, Guiñazú landed in Munster as injury cover, and went on to play 17 Pro 12 matches in the 2014-15 season with great reception from the locals. Despite encouragement from the fans to stay, he opted to return to his home in Mendoza to end his playing career.

23 – Francisco Leonelli (Edinburgh 2005-2006, Glasgow Warriors 2006-2007)
Far from being a household name,  the Pumas winger performed admirably in the Pro 12. Born in Bolívia, Leonelli grew up in Argentina and went through the club system before achieving higher honors and subsequently playing professional rugby abroad. He played for both existing Scottish rugby teams before moving to Aviva Premiership club Saracens.

22 – Tomás Leonardí (Edinburgh 2013-2015)
Having impressed first with the Pampas and then off the bench in the inaugural Rugby Championship in 2013, Leonardí moved to South Africa to play Super Rugby with the Kings in 2013. The SIC back-rower’s arrival in Scotland came soon after and he enjoyed two solid seasons at Edinburgh. He signed with Toulouse as a medical joker for the World Cup but made no appearances, and is now headed back to Super Rugby with Japanese expansion side the Sunwolves.

21 – Augusto Allori (Edinburgh 2007-2008, Benetton Treviso 2010-2012)
Like Leonelli, the Tucumán prop was never a big name but proved more than useful for both Edinburgh and Benetton Treviso in the Pro 12. Capable of playing both sides of the scrum, Allori won two caps for the Pumas in 2001, against Paraguay and Chile, but never again achieved international honours. Solid and dependable, he spent many seasons with Treviso playing in the Heineken Cup when they were still part of the Italian domestic league, and now plays for Mogliano in the Eccellenza.

20 – Jon Thiel (Bridgend 2001-2003, Llanelli Scarlets 2003-2005)
A three-time World Cup veteran and one of Canada’s best tighthead props, Thiel spent four years playing in Wales with the latter of the two playing in the Celtic League with Scarlets. He had previously spent seasons with Narbonne in France and Sale Sharks in England, and had a brief stay with Exeter in 2005 before health problems forced him out for a time. He returned to overseas rugby for one final season in 2009-10 with Chalon in the French Fédérale 1.

19 – Luke Tait (Cardiff 2001-2003, Ospreys 2003-2004)
The younger brother of Canadian stalwart John Tait, Luke won 17 caps himself after initially opting to represent Wales at u21 level. He began his Celtic League time with Cardiff, and then moved to Ospreys after some disciplinary issues. A quick stop in Aberavon was followed with two seasons at Crociati in Italy and three with Mont-de-Marsan in France. Tall and lanky, he was known for his athleticism in the lineout and abrasiveness in loose play.

18 – Mike Hercus (Llanelli Scarlets 2005-2006, Newport Gwent Dragons 2006-2007)
One of the stand-out performers for the USA in the 2003 World Cup was Hercus. The mercurial flyhalf was born in Virginia to Australian parents and returned to play that country at u21 level before opting for the Eagles at senior level. His attacking play and strong kicking game attracted professional interest and he quickly signed for Sale Sharks before moving south to Wales, where played first for Scarlets and then the Dragons. While at Scarlets he was invited to play for the Barbarians against Leicester in 2006.

17 – Joaquín Tuculet (Cardiff Blues 2014-2015)
The World Cup fullback joined the Cardiff Blues after previously playing for the Sale Sharks, Grenoble, and Bordeaux. His one season saw him playing eleven matches in the Pro 12, of which all were 80 minute appearances and included a try on debut. He turned down a contract extension to return home to Argentina and play Super Rugby for Los Jaguares.

16 – Esteban Lozada (Edinburgh 2010-2012)
After signing a three year contract with Toulon following his appearance at the 2007 World Cup with the Pumas, Lozada moved to Edinburgh in the Pro 12 in a bid to receive more game time. His decision saw him making 25 league appearances before returning to France for a season with Agen. The hard working lock forward played one further season with Wasps in England and has since been seen as a commentator with Sky Sports.

15 – Lucas González Amorosino (Cardiff Blues 2014-2015, Munster 2015-present)
Having been a star on the sevens circuit, González Amorosino was snapped up by the Leicester Tigers with whom he spent two seasons before coming into his own at Montpellier. He moved to Oyonnax in 2013 before starting his Pro 12 career in late 2014. Along with Tuculet, he made a positive impression at the Blues. Despite rumours that he would be joining the Jaguares following the World Cup, he instead signed a three-month deal with Munster and after a good start could well have his contract extended.

14 – Paul Emerick (Newport Gwent Dragons 2006-2008, Ulster 2010-2011)
Having begun his professional career in Italy, the dynamic Eagles midfielder made the move to the Celtic League in 2006, joining the Dragons. During his two seasons in south-eastern Wales he made 26 appearances before moving back to Italy to join Overmach Parma, the same city which is now home to Guinness Pro 12 side Zebre. A brief return with Ulster came in 2010 before ending his pro career with Wasps. Emerick was a fixture in the USA side for a decade, winning 53 caps and playing in three World Cups, before retiring in 2013.

13 – Tyler Ardron (Ospreys 2013-present)
One year after debuting for Canada, Ardron was signed to play in the Guinness Pro 12 for the Ospreys. His quick rise at international level has been replicated at professional level as Ardron has captained both Canada and the Ospreys at the age of only 24. Most notably a no8, his versatility has seen appear both at lock and on the flank as well for the Welsh side. To date he has played 36 Pro 12 matches for the Welsh region and started the 2015 semi-final against Munster.

12 – Federico Aramburú (Glasgow Warriors 2010-2012)
A Puma representative at the 2007 World Cup, Aramburú moved to Scotland after six years in France where he played in the Top 14 for Biarritz, Perpignan, and Dax. Comfortable on the wing or at centre, he won the Top 14 twice with Biarritz and captained Dax. His two seasons in Scotland were the most productive as he played 31 Pro 12 games and became a crowd favorite. His tackle on Jamie Roberts caught everyone by surprise.

11 – Luke Gross (Llanelli Scarlets 2001-2003)
The giant Eagles second row Luke Gross had a distinguished professional career which saw him playing in England, Italy, and Wales for eight different teams. Gross was very busy when in Llanelli playing 26 games in the 2001-02 season and 27 in 2002-03. Nine of these appearances were in the Champions Cup.

10 – Kort Schubert (Cardiff Blues 2004-2006)
Former USA skipper Kort Schubert backed-up his Rugby World Cup 2003 efforts by having two good seasons in the Pro 12. Playing for the Welsh capital side, the physical loose forward played 28 matches. Were it not for knee problems he would have played a lot more as a professional and also added to his 49 caps for the Eagles.

9 – Jeff Hassler (Ospreys 2013-present)
One of Canada’s brightest sparks today and looking forward is the dynamite right winger. The Albertan flyer has made 32 appearances to date for the Swansea-based Welsh region and has a long career ahead of him. In his rookie year as an Osprey, Hassler was named in the Pro 12 Dream Team after an impressive eight tries in 17 league starts. Injuries have limited his game time in his second season but he recovered to start in the 2015 semi final loss against Munster where he impressed.

8 – John Tait (Cardiff 1997-2002)
One of the best of many North American second rows to leave a lasting impression on European rugby, Tait was a towering presence with speed that rivaled most backs. The 37-times capped Canadian – also a sevens international – played some 140 games for Cardiff, debuting against Newbridge in September 1997, just three months after making his test debut against the USA. His professional career came to a close in 2005 after two seasons with Brive, and he is now the Head Coach of the hugely successful Canadian Women’s Sevens team.

7 – Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors 2004-2011)
A mainstay in the Glasgow Warriors front row over a sustained period of more than half a decade, the former Canadian captain arrived in Scotland from Pertemps Bees. He did so after also completing his studies at Oxford University, with whom he appeared in three Varsity matches. For Glasgow he played 152 times for a return of 14 tries, a high number for a prop. Noted for his surprising athleticism, the loosehead prop named Glasgow Warriors’ Player of the Year in the 2005-06 season.

6 – Bernardo Stortoni (Glasgow Warriors 2007-2011)
With Argentina missing 31 players to club duty, the country’s draw against the British & Irish Lions in 2005 was truly remarkable. At fullback that evening in Cardiff was Stortoni, a second division player in England for Bristol at the time. His prior experiences at Narbonne and Rotherham were followed by 96 appearances for the Glasgow Warriors. A mesmeric counter-attacker, ‘Bernie’ was even called upon to captain the team on occasion. He departed at the age of 34 while he continued to hold down a starting spot in the team.

5 – Danny Baugh (Cardiff Blues 1998-2005)
Few players commanded more respect in the contact area than the fearsome Canadian flanker, whose tackles reverberated through ribs and crowd alike. His 1999 World Cup came to an inauspicious after a red card for stamping but he remained a fan favorite throughout his career. He also controversially turned down the 2003 World Cup to instead play for Cardiff, citing concerns over insurance. After a long a successful career with Cardiff, recurring injuries led to his premature retirement in 2005. He has since become one of Europe’s most successful strength and conditioning coaches, moving from Cardiff to join Wales and now Wasps.

4 – Rod Snow (Newport Gwent Dragons 1996-2005)
The Canadian prop – a veteran of 62 caps and four World Cups – was known for his immense physical strength and trademark gallops in the loose. Newfoundland and Labrador’s favorite son, ‘Snowy’ played professional rugby in South Africa for Eastern Province before moving to Wales. He went on to play 190 games for Newport and the Dragons over the course of a decade, making him among the all-time greats of any non-Welshman to play professional rugby in Wales.

3 – Dave Hodges (Llanelli Scarlets 1997-1999, 2001-2005, Bridgend 1999-2000)
The exemplary Eagles captain was a versatile forward most often seen on the blindside flank but also used at the back of the scrum and occasionally at lock. Hodges was an All-American football player before switching to rugby, and was something of a late bloomer in the professional game, arriving in Wales in 1997 just shy of his 29th birthday. A fiercely committed of great strength and fortitude, he was named Player of the Year for Llanelli in back-to-back seasons before becoming a Celtic League champion in 2004.  He retired in 2005 and went on to become an assistant coach with the USA national team.

2 – DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors 2009-2015, Scarlets 2015-present)
One of Canada’s greatest exports and arguably their highest in terms of world standing at the moment, van der Merwe spent six memorable years with Glasgow Warriors before joining Scarlets in 2015. He is perennially among the league’s leaders in metres gained and tries scored, touching down 39 times since his debut in 2009, and is the all-time leading try-scorer for Glasgow. His final game for Warriors saw the team crowned Guinness Pro 12 champions, with van der Merwe scoring in both the semi final against Ulster and the final against Munster.

1 – Felipe Contepomi (Leinster 2003-2009)
Among the greats, undoubtedly the choice at number one is the most-capped Puma of all time. Playing for Irish province Leinster, the star flyhalf or inside centre was the top point scorer in the 2005-06 and 2008-09 Celtic League seasons, as well as the 2005-06 Heineken Cup. He captured the Celtic League title in 2007 and added the team’s first ever European Cup in 2009. He then left for Toulon, and after four years in France he returned to Argentina in 2013, finally retiring a year later. Without question, Felipe Contepomi is the greatest Pro 12 player from the Americas.