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Benjamín Urdapilleta is to retire at the end of the 2024-2025 season. He confirmed his decision to La Montagne. The Argentine will bring to an end his professional career which began in 2010. Urdapilleta has played in England and France as well as for his country at a Rugby World Cup.
France is where Urdapilleta impressed. He moved from Harlequins to Oyonnax thirteen years ago. It was, on face value, a steep backwards as he went from the English Premiership to the Pro D2. However, the move was shrewd and career defining.
Urdapilleta help Oyonnax win promotion to the Top 14. In the following season he helped the team reach the play-off’s for the first-time. After three seasons at Oyonnax he signed for Castres. He played for Castres for 2015-2023 winning the Bouclier de Brennus in 2018.
He joined Clermont of the 2023-2024 season and is now playing his second, and final, Top 14 season for the club. He will retire at the end of the season at the age of 39. He and his family ae goi g to return to Buenos Aires.
Urdapilleta made his debut for Argentina against Chile in 2007. He earned the last of his 19 caps in 2022. His career included starting matches for Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
