Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Player recruitment continues. Recent transfers have seen Argentine players joining a range of teams in a variety of professional leagues. There have also been moves in North America to sign Uruguayans for Major League Rugby (MLR).
Italian side the Rangers Vicenza has recruited two Argentines. Flanker Conrado Roura departs the Dallas Jackals in Major League Rugby (MLR) while utility back Fidel Sánchez arrives from Lazio. Roura previously played Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) for Peñarol.
Former Pumita Valentín Cruz is returning from Argentina back to Spain for a second time. The Pucará veteran fly half played seven seasons for Ordizia and will now play for Málaga in the División de Honor B.
Three Pumas have also found new clubs. Juan Martín González has made the move from London Irish to Saracens. London Irish’s collapse sees the 22-year-old now playing for the English champions. He played flanker for London Irish but is presently playing N8 for Argentina. Ignacio Ruiz has also farewelled London Irish to join Perpignan in the Top 14.
Back in the UK there have been additional Argentine transfers. Santiago Grondona has signed for the Bristol Bears. It came after reports in the UK were that Bristol were going to sign González. Grondona makes the return to the English Premiership from Pau after previously playing for the Exeter Chiefs.
The United Rugby Championship (URC) will be the new home of Rodrigo Martínez. The former Puma had actually signed for London Irish before the club collapsed. He joins the Dragons in Wales following a solid season for Los Pampas in Super Rugby Americas 2023.
MLR newcomers the Miami Sharks are looking for Latino Flair. Three regulars for Peñarol have been approached. Confirmation is forthcoming that flanker Manuel Ardao, fly half Felipe Etcheverry and scrum-half / center Tomás Inciarte will play MLR 2024 in Miami. The trio all held down starting positions for Peñarol and played this past Saturday for Uruguay vs Chile.
