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Argentine hooker Gonzalo Manso has signed to play for Tarbes. The former Pumas hooker has joins the French third division side on a two-year deal.
Now aged 27, Manso makes the move to the Fédérale 1 after playing previously in the Fédérale 2. He joins from Bassin d’Arcachon a club in France’s fourth division.
Manso comes from the Northern Argentine city of Tucumán. He played for Tucumán Rugby Club before moving to France.
While playing for Tucumán, Manso was a fringe player for international honors. In 2013 he played in the World Rugby Nations Cup in Romania. That same year he earned his two test caps against Brazil and Chile.
His debut against Los Cóndores in 2013 featured the first Pumas appearance of five other players. Of thm Santiago García Botta, Pablo Matera and Lucas Noguera Paz are Jaguares. Clermont flyhalf Patricio Fernández and Tucumán winger Macario Villaluenga were the remaining debutants.
Tarbes is to play in Pool 1 of the Fédérale 1 for the upcoming season. The club will join Albi, Bourgoin, Provence Rugby, Aubenas, Roval Drôme, Chambéry, Limoges, Bourg-en-Bresse, Strasbourg and Rouen.
The Fédérale 1 season runs from September to June. The 2017-2018 season is to be the 18th edition of the competition. Involved are a total of 43 clubs, two of whom will earn promotion to the Pro D2.
