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Perpignan are the 2021 Pro D2 champions. The Catalans were comprehensive winners in the final today against Biarritz. The 33-14 win sees Perpignan earning promotion to the Top 14. It sees two Pumas from Rosario securing their places in France’s elite league next season.
Perpignan will trade places with Agen. The Lot-et-Garonne department side finished bottom of the Top 14 and was relegated to the Pro D2 earlier this year. The club is home to Colombian Andrés Zafra. Los Tucanes are looking to take him to Chile for the upcoming RWC 2023 qualifier.
Argentina’s third largest city, Rosario produced two of Perpignan’s 2021 champions. Center Jerónimo de la Fuente comes from Duendes while fly half is from Jockey Club Rosario. The former has 56 caps and captained Los Jaguares in the 2019 Super Rugby Final. The latter earned two caps for Argentina in the 2013 South American Championship. He and Pablo Matera made their test debuts together.
In winning promotion, Perpignan are set to confirm the signing of a third Puma. Bautista Delguy signed for Perpignan on the condition that the club were to play in the Top 14. The winger will join the Catalans from Bordeaux.
Biarritz have one last opportunity at promotion. The Basque club will play the 13th placed Top 14 side in a promotion / relegation play-off. The winner will play in the 2021-2022 Top 14 and the loser will play in the Pro D2. Biarritz will face either Pau or Bayonne, depending on today’s results.
Both Pau and Bayonne are home to Argentine players. Biarritz is home to Evan Olmstead. The Canadian started for Biarritz in the Pro D2 Final today. The club will have additional Americas players next season; Tomás Cubelli has signed for the club from the Western Force.
#FinalePROD2
Le Bouclier de PRO D2 est catalan ! 🏆 🏉 pic.twitter.com/4ZOSwzybII— Rugby PRO D2 (@rugbyprod2) June 5, 2021
