Ignacio Mendy is set to play in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The Argentine outside back is being recruited to play for Benetton in Italy. The move comes following a pre-season trial at the Treviso club.
Mendy was not involved in Argentina’s or the Argentina XV’s July internationals. Instead, the 22-year-old went to Italy. The opportunity came following the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Mendy was a stand-out performer for Los Jaguares XV. He played at both fullback and on the wing in SLAR.
He joins six other Argentines at the URC club. Props Thomas Gallo and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and fly half Tomás Albornoz have featured in the 2022 Rugby Championship. Mendy made his test debut for Argentina against South Africa in the 2021 Rugby Championship.
The Argentine trio of prop Ivan Nemer, and centers Ignacio Brex and Joaquín Riera also play for Benetton. Nemer and Brex are both capped by Italy.
Mendy is a product of Los Tilos in La Plata. He won Gold Medal playing Rugby Sevens at the 2018 Junior Olympic Games. Three years later he won Bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. He is a second generation Puma, his father is former Puma Christian Mendy.