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The dream of playing test match rugby is close to being realized by Juan Ignacio Brex. The 27-year-old has been called up by Italy to prepare for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
Brex joins fellow Argentine player, and captain, Sergio Parisse on the roster. The N8 will retire from international duty following this year’s Six Nations Championship. The introduction of Brex into the Italian roster thereby represents a changing of the Argentine guard.
Brex departed Argentina for Italy in 2015. He did so after having played for Los Pumitas, Los Pumas 7’s and the Argentina XV. With places at Jaguares hard to comedy, a professional call came from Viadana. In 2017 he completed the rise to the Pro 14, joining Benetton.
Having played Sevens for Argentina and also for the ‘next of XV’, the Argentina XV, Brex was attached to Argentina. However, in 2019 Brex competed for Italy Sevens in an Olympic Qualifying tournament. This saw his attachment to Argentina removed, making him free to represent Italy whom he qualifies for via residency and ancestry.
Italy open their Six Nations campaign on Saturday, February 01. The central Europeans will play away to Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Brex joins Tommaso Boni, Luca Morisi, and Marcos Zanon as the centers on the roster.
