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Nicolás Sánchez is to leave Los Jaguares to play in France. The rumor has not been a secret and now the move is official, confirmed by Stade Français.
The 62-time capped Pumas fly half will follow in the footsteps of Diego Dominguez, Gonzalo Quesada, Juan Martín Hernández and Felipe Contepomi. Stade Français has been home to all of them with Sánchez continuing the trend as of November.
The Parisians are looking to rebuild. Despite having won the Top 14 title in 2015 Stade Français came close to being relegated recently. The arrival of Sànchez will bolster the pivot options with he and former French fly half Jules Plisson to both be at the club.
In addition to Sánchez Stade Français has also recruited Piet Van Zyl, Malietoa Hingano, Talalelei Gray, Stéphane Clément, Kylan Hamdaoui, Alex Arrate, and veteran French test second-rower Yoann Maestri.
For Sánchez it is to be a third time playing in France. Prior to the existence of Los Jaguares, Sánchez played for both Bordeaux and Toulon. He did so from 2011-2015, initially joining Bordeaux following RWC 2011.
Sánchez noted on his instagram that:
“I have lived three spectacular years in Argentina playing with this very beautiful shirt that represents our clubs and above all being able to play with friends. At the end of the year I will continue my career in France, at Stade Français. It was a very difficult decision due to what playing for Los Jaguares means to me, but it is also important for me to be at the side of my family and to be able to see my son grow every day. Without question, this new step is going to be a great personal challenge.”
“At this point in time the only thing I am thinking about is going as far as possible in Super Rugby and converting on the field all of the effort that the team is putting in.”
In the 2018 Super Rugby season Nicolás Sánchez has been prominent. In addition to holding down the 10 shirt he has also featured heavily, notably so in the Oceania tour and the home match against the Waratahs.
The sudden retirement of Juan Martín Hernández has meant that Los Jaguares are low in depth at fly half. Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Santiago González Iglesias are on the roster though Mario Ledesma has preferred winger Emiliano Boffelli as emergency cover.
Ledesma’s roster also contains Bautista Ezcurra. He was used on the wing by Raúl Pérez but Ledesma has played him at inside center, doing so as back-up to Jerónimo de la Fuente. This has seen limited action for González Iglesias.
The Argentina XV has used a number of players including Nicolás Cantarutti, Martín Elías, Juan Cruz González, Tomás Granella, and Domingo Miotti. Puma Juan Daireaux is another possibility to be drafted in as a future fly half option for Ledesma.
Sánchez’ move to Stade Français will be following Argentina’s final test match of the year. He will thus be fine to play for Los Pumas in the June Internationals, Rugby Championship and November Internationals.
It is not confirmed, though expected, that French-based players are to be called-up by Daniel Hourcade this year. Among them are French based fly halves Patricio Fernández and Benjamín Urdapilleta.
