Julio Giraldo is set to make Major League Rugby history in Las Vegas. The openside flanker will be part of Rugby United New York’s traveling squad for the first two games of the season. Should he make a match appearance, the 24-year-old would be the first Colombian to do so in North America’s professional league.
Hailing from Monteria, Giraldo began playing for the Caporos club in 2011 and quickly earned selection to Colombia’s national under-18 team. There he would play alongside current Agen lock Andrés Zafra and a number of future Tucanes caps including Peñarol signing Diver Ceballos.
Giraldo first traveled to New York in 2015 but spent time with TEC and Clamart Rugby 92 in France before making his USA move permanent. He has since turned out for American Rugby Premiership side Old Blue and made his RUNY debut in Saturday’s preseason fixture against the New York Barbarians.