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Los Ceibos is the name of Argentina’s second professional rugby team. The team is to be very different to that of the first, Los Jaguares. The former will not be a Super Rugby franchise and will, instead compete in a new competition, the Súper Liga Americana de rugby which kicks-off in February 2020.
For details on the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby click here.
Los Ceibos are named after Argentina’s national flower. The team itself will be privately owned. Their backer is also the owner. He is a Fernando Riccomi, a businessman from Rosario who previously was the president of Club Los Caranchos.
The team will be coached by former Pumas second-rower Ignacio Fernández Lobbe. He assumes the role following his head coaching positions with the Argentina XV, and Los Jaguares XV.
Sergio Stuart notes that Los Jaguares XV will be the basis of Los Ceibos. Stuart also points out that the arrangement will see the UAR being responsible for the sporting side of Los Ceibos while the administration and financing will come from the owner. This means that the UAR will not fund the team or the players with the owner investing US$1 million.
The initial roster is to consist of 25 players, all of whom are to be Argentine. They are expected to mainly come from Los Jaguares XV with the u20s also contributing.
The team will be based in and play matches in Córdoba. Meanwhile, Los Jaguares will continue to play exclusively in Buenos Aires. Unlike Los Jaguares there is to be a policy for Los Ceibos in which only one player per club will be able to play for the team.
