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Francisco Minervino will continue his career in Italy. The Argentine front-rower has signed for Lyons Rugby in the Italian domestic league, the Top 10. Lyons Rugby will be Minervino’s first foreign team.
Minervino makes the move during the 2021-2022 Top 10 season. He does so in the final weeks before the rosters are made official for the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). His departure means Los opportunities for new props in 2022. Minervino and Federico Wegrzyn will not play for Los Jaguares XV.
Wegrzyn left Argentina to join Provence. He has established himself as a regular in the Pro D2 side. Minervino will be looking to do the same at Lyons Rugby. The 21-year-old will be surrounded by countrymen. Lyons Rugby has five other Argentines on the roster. They are Romulo Acosta, Maximiliano Filizzola, Maximo Ledesma, Joaquín Paz and Santiago Portillo.
Three of the aforementioned names played in SLAR 2021. Winger Filizzola and No8 Portillo played for Chilean side Selknam while Ledesma was fly half for the Olímpia Lions. Center Joaquín Paz previously played Super Rugby for Los Jaguares.
The team based in Piacenza has won five out of nine matches thus far in the 2021-2022 season. Currently with 22 points, Lyons Rugby are three points outside of the play-off’s zone. Roving and Calvisano occupy third and fourth with 25 points.
Minervino is a product of Lujan Rugby Club near Buenos Aires. He moves to Italy at the age of 21. He weighs 121kg (265lbs) and is 1.75m (5’9″) tall. His regular position is loose head prop.
