Olímpia Lions have added former Pumitas prop Gonzalo Hughes to their SLAR roster. The 21-year-old from Jockey Club Córdoba played four matches as a replacement for Argentina at the 2018 World Rugby u20 Championship in France. His nationality is particularly notable in this instance.
Just two weeks ago the Paraguayan entry in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby were denied three signings after being found to have exceeded their agreed quota of Argentine recruits. An appeal to consider flanker Nicolás Proto as a Spanish import was successful, however, and the Lions were granted permission to acquire one more from Argentina.
With loosehead prop Thomas Gallo and tighthead Jonathan Marchetta among the trio – the other flyhalf Alejandro Torres – sent back to their clubs, Olímpia were short in the front row. The ability of Hughes to play both sides of the scrum effectively allows him to replace both departed players.