Americas Greatest 25 from the Top 14

There has been no shortage of players in the Top 14 from the Americas over the years. Who, though, have been the greatest? Americas Rugby News has selected 25 players who have performed with distinction for French clubs in Top 14 and European competition.

25 – Pablo Lemoine (Stade Français 2000-2006, Montauban 2006-2008)
The name Pablo Lemoine is no longer niche. Having taken Uruguay to the World Cup and seen Los Teros perform to a level higher than many expected, Lemoine is now known throughout the global rugby community. He was a very good rugby player too, playing in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. The big tighthead prop spent time in both England and France, establishing himself as first choice late in his time in Paris and again with Montauban.

24 – Colin Yukes (Agen 2004-2007)
As remarkable as it may seem, the 36-cap Canadian is younger than Jamie Cudmore. So successful has the career of Cudmore been that Yukes’ impact in France seems like a distant memory. His time with Agen included two European campaigns, one in the Challenge Cup and the second in the Heinken Cup. Though he was generally seen as a second row for Canada, the vast majority of his club appearance were in the back row either on the flank or at no8.

23 – Federico Todeschini (Béziers 2003-2006, Montpellier 2006-2010)
The wonder-kick that was Todeschini took a long time to get regular time with Los Pumas but when he did he certainly made the most of it. His coming of age against the British & Irish Lions in 2005 was followed by memorable wins both at home and in Europe and a place in Argentina’s 2007 World Cup roster. In France he played for five clubs, with Montpellier being where he enjoyed his greatest success. There he played both fly half and fullback and was important in keeping the club outside of the relegation zone before rebuilding enabled the club to reach new heights.

22 – Phil Murphy (Perpignan 2000-2003)
After making his international debut for Canada earlier that year, the powerhouse no8 signed with USAP at a time when they were among the very best clubs in France. He made an immediate impact and went on to star in back-to-back Heineken Cup adventures, leading the club to the 2003 final where they lost by five points to Toulouse. Despite his success, his contract was not renewed and he moved to London Irish the following season.

21 – Felipe Contepomi (Toulon 2009-2011, Stade Français 2011-2013)
An extremely successful career in England and Ireland was followed by a move to France where Contepomi played for both Toulon and Stade Français. He switched between inside centre and flyhalf for Toulon, but was firmly used at flyhalf for the Parisians. Most remarkable, perhaps, was that he maintained his form throughout, even as a 35 year old flyhalf in his final year with Stade Français.

20 – Santiago Fernández (Montpellier 2010-2013, Bayonne 2013-2015, Pau 2015-present)
Initially signed by Montpellier to provide cover for François Trinh-Duc, Fernández proved to be a highly useful signing. Playing as the team’s first-choice inside centre, he scored a try in the Top 14 Semi Final victory over Racing 92 in 2011. He also filled in for Trinh-Duc when required, including a strong showing in the Heineken Cup as Montpellier defeated the Cardiff Blues in Wales. Now at Pau, Fernández is far from finished yet despite not having played for Los Pumas since November 2013.

19 – Manuel Carizza (Biarritz 2005-2012, Racing 92 2012-2013, 2015-present)
So strong was the second-row depth of Argentina in 2007 that there was no place for Carizza at the World Cup. He was, nonetheless, already doing well for himself in France with Biarritz. During his seven years at the Basque club he improved as a player and went on to be Argentina’s first choice no4 from 2009-2013. For Biarritz he appeared in the 2011 Heineken Cup final and is now into his second stint with Racing 92. In between terms he won South Africa’s Currie Cup playing for Western Province.

18 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Oyonnax 2012-2015, Castres 2015-present)
The current low position of Oyonnax in the Top 14 can be explained by two main factors – the departure of head coach Christophe Urios and star flyhalf Benjamín Urdapilleta. The outstanding left-footed goal kicker was a hero for the town as Oyonnax were promoted to the Top 14 after his first season. Equally impressive was how the little-regarded club avoided an immediate return to Pro D2, with former giants Biarritz and Perpignan falling instead. He also steered USO to the Top 14 playoffs for the first time in history. To the folk of Oyonnax, Urdapilleta is akin to a saint.

17 – Mauricio Reggiardo (Castres 1996-2005)
Arguably the top loosehead at the 1999 World Cup, Reggiardo spent a decade at the coal-face for Castres Olympique, signing for the French club when rugby went professional in 1996. His versatility in being able to play on both sides of the scrum was a great asset as well as his impressive mobility. While he never won any silverware in his time in France, he remains one of Argentina’s greatest professional exports.

16 – Ignacio Corleto (Narbonne 1999-2002, Stade Français 2002-2009)
Famous for scoring the opening try of the 2007 World Cup, Corleto was a long-time servant of Stade Français. His seven year run with the club included Top 14 titles in 2003, 2004, and 2007 in addition to the 2005 Heineken Cup final, though he was not always involved. The classy fullback’s career was ended early through injury with his final match being on the losing end of a semi-final against Toulouse.

15 – Martín Bustos Moyano (Montpellier 2010-2013, Bayonne 2013-present)
A useful sevens player and utility option as both wing and fullback, Bustos Moyano was perhaps not quite up to the level to play for Los Pumas. His deadly accurate boot, however, meant his abilities were well-suited to professional rugby and Montpellier made very good use of him. The club’s only appearance in a Top 14 final to date was thanks to him kicking the team to a 26-25 semi-final win over Racing 92. His golden boot is now at Bayonne in the Pro D2, who aim to earn promotion back to the top division.

14 – Martín Scelzo (Clermont 2004-2011, Agen 2011-2012)
Having arrived in France already as a Heineken Cup champion, Martín Scelzo moved to France to have a lengthily career with Clermont before finishing up at Agen. His long-term partnership with Mario Ledesma eventually led to a title as, having lost the 2007, 2008 and 2009 finals, Clermont won the Top 14 Final in 2010. Scelzo started in three of these finals.

13 – Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz 2007-present)
The blistering pace of ‘Zee’ is well documented. His sensational try against Bryan Habana and South Africa at the 2007 World Cup single-handedly put him on the map. It also played a significant part in Biarritz signing the star USA Eagles wing. Although now in Pro D2, Ngwenya has been a significant part of the club’s past European success. His amazing try against the Ospreys at the quarter-finals stage of the 2010 Heineken Cup was crucial to the team reaching that year’s final, losing to Toulouse. In 2012 the club won the Challenge Cup title.

12 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92 2011-present)
Initially brought in as a medical joker, Imhoff took no time to establish himself as a premier attacking winger for Racing 92. So impressed was the club that short-term turned into a multi-year contract almost over night. He arrived post World Cup 2011 and remains under contract until 2018. He has scored scintillating tries for Racing 92 in both the Top 14 and Champions Cup and is seen as a vital component of the under-achieving club’s goal of winning a title in the coming years.

11 – Rimas Álvarez Kairelis (Perpignan 2001-2011)
For 11 seasons the versatile lock or loose forward was a vital cog in a very strong USAP side. The club reached the Heineken Cup final in 2003 and the Top 14 final in 2004 and 2010. The disappointment of three defeats was softened by winning the 2009 Top 14 title. Álvarez Kairelis was a workhorse throughout his years with teammates even offering to pay his salary rather than seeing him retiring.

10 – Omar Hasan (Agen 1999-2004, Toulouse 2004-2008)
One of rugby’s all-time great scrummaging props, the legendary Tucumán tighthead spent seasons with Wellington and the Brumbies before moving to France, where he started his career with Auch in the Pro D2. Agen recognized his talents and snapped him up after only one season, and the rest, as they say, is history. Toulouse signed up in 2004, and he paid immediate dividends, winning the Heineken Cup in 2005. He reached the final of the French Championship in 2006, another Heineken Cup final in 2008, and his last game as a professional was a victorious one, lifting the Bouclier de Brennus in 2008.

9 – Mike James (Perpignan 1996-2000, Stade Français 2000-2007)
When it comes to the set-piece, the great Canadian second row is up there with the very best. James had a remarkable career abroad, most notably for Stade Français with whom he won three French Championships, and appeared in four other finals, two each in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup. James’ final appearance for the club was in the 2007 Top 14 final when his team defeated Clermont who had a certain Jamie Cudmore playing in their own second row.

8 – Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français 2004-2012)
‘Roro’ was in a class of his own from 2007-2010. During this period he was regularly singled out as the best loosehead prop in the Top 14 and for many he was the best on the planet. The Buenos Aires native moved to Paris after two seasons in Gloucester and would go on to become captain for a season at Stade. He played in both the French and European final in 2005, and won the Top 14 crown in 2007. On that day he joined Pedro Ledesma in the front-row while Martín Scelzo and Mario Ledesma started for Clermont.

7 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres 2002-present)
Arguably the greatest Uruguayan player of all time, Capó Ortega has been through through thick and thin with both club and country. At Castres Olympique he has seen the club avoid relegation by the narrowest of margins, and in 2013 emerging as Top 14 champions. He has been an ever-present in the side for more than a decade, playing more than 200 matches, primarily at lock, and is currently the club captain.

6 – Mario Ledesma (Narbonne 2001-2003, Castres 2003-2005, Clermont 2005-2011)
‘Super Mario’ earned his name by being one of the most consistent players on the field throughout a long career. Having initially played for Narbonne over two seasons, his move to Castres saw him develop into one of the leading hookers in French rugby and come to be the leading Argentine hooker from 2004-2011. His work rate was still exceptional at the age of 37 when Clermont won the Top 14 title in 2010. Ledesma appeared in another three French finals and won the European Challenge Cup in 2007.

5 – Agustín Pichot (Stade Français 2003-2007, 2008-2009, Racing 92 2007-2008)
After six years in England, Pichot moved to France to continue his career for Stade Français. One of the world’s best scrumhalves, his impact was profound both on and off the field. As a leader he made history in 2004 by becoming the first non-Frenchman to captain a team to the Top 14 title. He was champion again in 2007 and scored the decisive try, and was also a finalist in 2005, both in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup.

4 – Jamie Cudmore (Grenoble 2003-2005, Clermont 2005-present)
Having started his professional career in Wales in 2002, Cudmore is still playing some 13 years later and at the age of 37 holds down a starting spot in the second row for one of France’s best teams. From Llanelli to Grenoble and subsequently Clermont, the Canadian has given it his all and finally won a Top 14 title in 2010, having previously conquered the European Challenge Cup in 2007. He is a four-time finalist in the French Championship, and a two-time finalist in Europe, including the Heineken Cup in 2013 and the re-named Champions Cup in 2015. Cudmore’s popularity in France extends will beyond the playing field, with his imposing physique and intimidating style making him a cult hero in Clermont Auvergne.

3 – Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon 2009-present)
Juan Martín left his brother, Ignacio, and the captaincy of Sale Sharks in the English Premiership behind to join Toulon. The move has proven to be nothing short of incredible as the back row extraordinaire has played in three Top 14 finals, two Challenge Cup finals and three Champions Cup finals. The return, to date, has been the Top 14 title in 2014 and an incredible European run with glory coming in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Now aged 34, Fernández Lobbe has retired from test rugby but still looks fresh enough to press for further titles.

2 – Patricio Albacete (Colomiers 2003-2004, Pau 2004-2006, Toulouse 2006-present)
Having gone through the age-grade system with flying colors, from 1998-2002, Albacete was starting in the 2003 World Cup as an unknown. His size and ability caught the eyes of scouts and he was immediately pulled to France on a professional contract, and he remains there to his day. In his 10 years at Toulouse the giant lock has left an indelible mark, winning the Heineken Cup in 2010 and the Top 14 in 2008, 2010, and 2011. With more than 250 games played in France and Europe, ‘Pato’ is one of the greatest Americas players in the professional era.

1 – Juan Martín Hernández (Stade Français 2003-2009, Racing 92 2010-2014, Toulon 2014-2015)
The name ‘El Mago’ was not earned lightly nor without reason. He won French Championships in 2004 and 2007, and took home the European title in 2015, having been a finalist a decade earlier. Along the way he has thrilled audiences with his incredible footballing skills at flyhalf, fullback, or in the midfield. In 2007 he was named by Midi Olympique as the best player in France, the first foreigner to win the award. His French career was interrupted by a season with Natal Sharks in South Africa, but he has still managed to score more than 700 points and an incredible 42 drop goals in just over 200 European matches, despite rarely being first choice goal kicker. Hernández’s brilliance in French rugby over a period of a dozen years sees him top the charts as the all-time greatest Americas player in the Top 14.