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Top 14 recruitment continues. In the case of Vannes, the quest to be competitive in the Top 14 now sees the Pro D2 champions signing Santiago Medrano. The Puma has agreed to join the club from the Western Force in Super Rugby.
Vannes have two other Pumas on their roster. Flanker Francisco Gorrissen is captain while Bautista Pedemonte also plays back-row. Pedemonte made his debut for Argentina this past Saturday against France in Mendoza.
Medrano is the second Rugby World Cup 2019 prop to join Vannes in as many weeks. He follows England’s Mako Vunipolo who has joined from Saracens. Vunipolo and Medrano were on opposite teams in Tokyo for the pool match between England and Argentina.
The 28-year-old Medrano was left out of Argentina’s roster for Rugby World Cup 2023. He joined Lyon on a short-term deal during the Super Rugby off-season. Unlike his contract with Vannes, he joins Lyon as a Medical Joker.
With 31 test caps to his name Medrano, is one of Argentina’s leading tight head props. He was a regular throughout the Mario Ledesma years but out of favor with Michael Cheika. Francisco Gómez Kodela, Joel Sclavi and Eduardo Bello were preferred. Bello, Lucio Sordoni and the uncapped Francisco Coria Marchetti are on the July 2024 roster under Felipe Contepomi.
Medrano played Super Rugby for Los Jaguares from 2018-2020 and for the Western Force from 2021-2024. He joined the Worcester Warriors only for the team to go bust which saw him extending his stay in Western Australia.
