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In a mid-season transfer, Pau have secured Santiago Grondona on a three-month deal. The Puma makes the move from the English Premiership to France with immediate effect. It is a signing that is of interest to both club and player. Pau are playing to avoid relegation from the Top 14 to the Pro D2 and Grondona is seeking regular game time.
Pau are currently tied with Castres for 11th position in the Top 14. The clubs sit on 32 points after 28 rounds. Eight rounds of the regular season remain. Perpignan are in 13th position on 30 points while Brive are bottom on 26. The bottom placed side is automatically relegated. The 13th placed can also be relegated. The team will contest a promotion / relegation match against a Pro D2 side.
Grondona was not involved in Argentina’s final five test matches of 2022. He did not represent his country against South Africa, either home or away. He was on the roster for November but did not face England, Wales or Scotland.
The move to Pau, means that the Top 14 club is now home to two Pumas. Grondona joins Ignacio Calles at the club. Grondona has 1o test caps for Los Pumas while Calles has 2. Calles missed out on caps in 2022. Grondona started against New Zealand in Hamilton and was a replacement in the win over the All Blacks in Christchurch.
Pau will be the third European club for Grondona. The 24-year-old departed Jaguares for the Newcastle Falcons and now joins Pau from the Exeter Chiefs. Grondona is a product of Champagnat club in Buenos Aires. The same club also produced former Puma and Montpellier flanker Martín Durand.
