Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Parisian clubs Stade Français and Racing 92 are set to confirm their merger. The move will see the two clubs from Paris unite to form one new super-club in the French capital.
An official announcement is due out this afternoon. The two clubs will hold a press conference at 4pm local time, confirming the changes.
The clubs have been highly successful both historically and recently. Stade Français were crowned Top 14 champions in 2015, with former Pumas fly half Gonzalo Quesada took the side to an unlikely title. In 2016 Racing 92 were crowned French champions and also European runners-up.
Both clubs have had their share of players from the Americas over the years. Racing 92 is currently home to Manuel Carizza and Juan Imhoff. It is the former club of Álvaro Galindo, Juan Martin Hernandez, and Juan Pablo Orlandi.
Agustin Pichot also spent one season at the club. Stade Français, though is the French club with the closest link to the now World Rugby Vice-Chairman. Pichot played for the club from 2003-2007, becoming the first non-Frenchman to captain a side to Top 14 glory.
Pichot was joined by Canadian Mike James in the starting lineup that defeated Clermont that evening in 2007. Pumas Rodrigo Roncero, Pedro Ledesma, and Juan Martín Hernández also all started. The latter was man of the match.
Stade Français has been home to many others. Additional Pumas include Lucas Borges, Felipe Contepomi, Ignacio Corleto, Diego Dominguez, Gonzalo Quesada, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Patricio Noriega, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, and Gonzalo Tiesi.
The connection to the Americas does not end there. Brazilian Paulo de Rio Branco is a former Stade Français player. Uruguay’s Pablo Lemoine and the USA’s Scott LaValla also played for the club, with Canadian Mike James also a long-time club stalwart.
