Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Santiago Fernández has played for Pau for the final time. The Argentine inside center played from the bench against Toulon on Saturday. With the club missing out on the play-off’s Fernández said his goodbyes post match on the field to his teammates.
Aged 31, Fernández is now set to return to Argentina. It marks the end of an era. He departed Argentina in 2010, joining Montpellier. After three seasons he moved to rivals Bayonne in 2013 before joining Pau in 2015.
Injury complications meant his game time for Pau was limited. A knee injury saw him miss out on much of the 2016-2017 season. It also cut his 2015-2016 season short.
Now fit-again, Fernández is to return home to Buenos Aires and join his former club Hindú. It is a tremendous gain for his club and a comeback at test level is not out of the question, albeit unlikely.
Fernández earned 32 caps for Argentina from 2008-2013. His debut was as a last-minute replacement against Ireland, starting at fly half in Dublin. His most recent appearance came against Wales in November 2013. It was his second of only two tests playing under Daniel Hourcade.
Fernández had been a regular under Santiago Phelan. He was the starting fly half in Rugby World Cup 2015, combining with Felipe Contepomi who predominantly started at inside center.
