Austin Elite have moved to add Uruguay fullback Rodrigo Silva to their roster for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. A veteran with more than 50 international appearances for Los Teros, Silva is the third South American to be snapped up by Austin following countrymen Andrés Vilaseca and Juan Echeverría.
Since making his debut in 2012 Silva has been capped in every position in the backline with the exception of center. Initially considered a flyhalf, he was selected as a utility back for the 2015 World Cup and since 2016 has established himself as Uruguay’s first choice fullback.
The 26-year-old was one of nine Teros who took part in the World Rugby combine at Glendale. Silva scored two second half tries against the Raptors as a replacement flyhalf. Five South American players have since been signed with eight Uruguayans all told attached to MLR teams for 2019.