The exodus of players from Argentina to Europe continues. The latest to depart is Pedro Mercerat, the first ever fullback for the Argentina XV.
Aged 27, Mercerat was a regular for the Argentina XV in 2016. He did not earn any caps for Los Pumas but was very much one of the players in consideration as cover for Joaquín Tuculet.
But with Ramiro Moyano and Emiliano Boffelli preferred to for Los Jaguares opportunities at fullback have been hard to come by. Like many from the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship, Europe has come calling.
An excellent goal-kicker, Mercerat is to depart La Plata to join I Medicei, a club in the national championship, the Eccellenza Italiano. He makes the move as a medical joker on a short-term deal which runs until April. It is as cover for the injured Steffan Basson.
The opportunity is to be Mercerat’s second as a professional player in Europe. Previously he played for Sportivo Bressane in France in 2014.
At I Medicei Mercerat will join fellow Argentine player, Alejandro Ríos. He comes from Curupaytí, the same club which produced legendary former Puma and current Los Jaguares Head Coach Mario Ledesma.