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Five of Stade Français’ greatest ten players are Argentine, according to Rugby Rama. Following the cancellation of the merger with Racing 92, the French rugby website nominated the club’s best 10 of all time. Those included are among the most famous names in European rugby during the professional era. Amazingly half of those named are from Argentina.
Agustín Pichot (2003-2007, 2008-2009)
Pichot arrived from England to play for Stade Français in 2003. He did so while already being the captain of Los Pumas. The Little General would go on to captain Stade Français, becoming the first foreigner to captain a Top 14 club to the French title in 2007, his second, having also won in 2004. Following the 2007 World Cup the scrumhalf spent one year with local rivals Racing 92 before announcing his retirement, but appeared again in a Stade jersey briefly in 2009. He is now Vice-Chairman of World Rugby.
Rodrigo Roncero (2004-2012)
The Pumas loosehead prop played 191 matches for Stade Français, scoring 13 tries. Commonly listed among the top players in Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011, Roncero was highly respected throughout France during his professional career. He also captained the club on several occasions. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2011-12 season to pursue a career in medicine.
Juan Martín Hernández (2003-2009)
Brought to the club following Rugby World Cup 2003, Hernández initially played at fullback. His move to flyhalf in 2007 paved the way for his tremendous performance at that year’s World Cup. In the 2007 Top 14 Final he was so influential that reports declared that he had almost won the final by himself. After a brief stint in South Africa with Natal Sharks he spent time with Racing 92 and Toulon before returning home to Argentina, where he continues to play for the Jaguares in Super Rugby.
Diego Domínguez (1997-2004)
Capped twice by Argentina in 1989, he then moved to Italy finding his path to further Pumas honors blocked by the great Hugo Porta. After several years in Milan, Domínguez moved to Paris and had a stellar career with Stade Français. He won French titles in his first season with the club, in 1998, and again in his last, scoring 20 points in his final game as Stade defeated Perpignan 38-20. He has since moved on to coaching, though his appointment at Toulon was ended prematurely in October.
Sergio Parisse (2005 – present)
Italy’s current captain is another to have been lost to Argentina. Having departed for Italy with his family as a 17-year-old, Parisse quickly reached the summit of Italian rugby, debuting in 2002. He has won two titles with Stade Français, his first in 2007 and his second in 2015 as captain. At 33 years of age Parisse remains among the world’s great players at No 8 and looks set to continue with the Azzurri through the 2019 World Cup, though his time in Paris could well be coming to a close with rumors suggesting a move to the Aviva Premiership next season.
