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Daniel Hourcade is open to Portugal and Spain joining the Súper Liga Americana e Rugby (SLAR). In an interview with ESPN Argentina, Sudamerica Rugby’s High Performance Manager noted that talks are underway with the Portuguese and Spanish rugby federations.
SLAR is South America’s professional rugby competition. The inaugural SLAR season was suspended after two rounds due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This meant that Los Ceibos were the only team to play two matches and that Corinthians did not get to play. It also saw the debut of Cafeteros Pro postponed.
The 2020 SLAR season involved Los Ceibos (Argentina), Corinthians (Brazil), Olímpia Lions (Paraguay), Peñarol (Uruguay) and Selknam (Chile). Plans for the 2021 season have always been expansion with Los Cafeterias Pro (Colombia) joining yet there may be others.
In addition to the possibility of expanding to Portugal and Spain, Hourcade furthered the previously noted policy of Mexico. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak Mexico were reportedly interested in joining for 2021. There were also additional parties from existing member countries, such as Nacional (Uruguay).
The possible addition of teams from Portugal and Spain would change the SLAR format altogether. Rather than being a South American (or Latin American) league, it would become an Latin American-Iberian League.
There are no indications of where the possible Portuguese or Spanish teams would play. Yet, it is of note accessible to existing teams in the competition. There are regular direct flights from São Paulo to Lisbon, Porto, Madrid and Barcelona.
Prior to becoming Head Coach of Los Pumas, Hourcade had experience in Iberia. This included him being Head Coach of Portugal’s Sevens side and an assistant of Portugal’s side which qualified for and competed at RWC 2007.
