Castres sign Argentine flyhalf

The 10-times capped Benjamín Urdapilleta has agreed to terms to join Castres Olympique on a two year deal. He makes the move to France’s south west after having made history this season with Oyonnax by seeing the club qualify for the play-offs for the first time ever.

Aged 29 Urdapilleta was the highest scoring non-Frenchman in the Top 14 this season. His total of 297 points in the French domestic championship was second overall and saw his club, Oyonnax, make history by reaching the barrage phase of the play-offs for the first time.

Urdapilleta was heavily involved in the barrage play-off vs Toulouse and had his side leading well into the second half before Toulouse scored a late try to win 20-19. The match proved to be the end of Urdapilleta at Oyonnax with the former Puma now moving on to play for Castres. The change sees him replacing French international Rémi Tales who joins Racing Métro.

Also leavin Oyonnax behind is Agustín Figuerola. The former Pumas scrumhalf has joined Lyon who finished bottom of the Top 14 and are now seeking to win promotion back from the second division next season. At Castres Urdapilleta’s is set to play outside French international Rory Kockott who is in France’s World Cup training squad. Urdapilleta remains overlooked by Argentine selectors but cannot be considered out of the running for given his form and attributes.