ARN Updates from France

In a special feature ARN Updates from France takes a look into what has been unfolding recently in the Top 14 and Pro D2. The French championship and second division are home to many Americas players and there are also coaches.

Rodrigo Capó Ortega Honored
The greatest Uruguayan player of all-time, Rodrigo Capó Ortega will be retiring at the end of the current season. The RWC 2003 player will hang-up his boots having done more than anybody could possibly have imagined when he arrived in France. Castres has been home to Capó Ortega since 2002. He captained the team to the Top 14 title in 2013 and is a two-time champion with his second title coming in 2018. The one-club player has been compared to Aurélien Rougerie à Clermont. Capó Ortega will be an ambassador to Castres after retiring in mid-2020 at the age of 39.

Andrés Zafra is the new Capó
In years to come there could well be comparisons between Capó Ortega and Andrés Zafra. Like the Uruguayan, the Colombian is a pioneer. He is also proving to be up to the standards of the Top 14 and at the age of 23, he is not even getting started yet. ARN will come right out and say it – Andrés Zafra is the new Rodrigo Capó Ortega.

Facundo Isa Suspended
Toulon will be without Facundo Isa for two weeks. The Argentine N8 was suspended by the LNR disciplinary committee for dangerous play. The incident was in the round 16 match against La Rochelle wherein Isa received a yellow card. His suspension will see him missing out on playing against Clermont and Pau.

Ramiro Moyano Injured
Toulon were without Ramiro Moyano this past weekend. The Argentine winger was named to start at fullback but forced out hours before kick-off. Toulon won their home match, a nail-bitter against Stade Français. They did so by landing a last second penalty. The result sees Stade Français bottom of the Top 14, for now. This is not likely to remain the case for very long given that the team is playing well. Moyano is in his first professional season away from home. He has done well, although a return to Los Pumas looks unlikely at this stage.

Santiago Cordero
Ahead of Moyano for a call-up for Argentine international duty is Santiago Cordero. The 26-year-old has set Bordeaux on fire this season. It has seen his move from the Exeter Chiefs convert into a similar contribution in the Top 14. Los Pumas will include players from outside of Los Jaguares for July. ARN regards Cordero’s name as the first back from abroad to make the roster.

Jerónimo Negrotto making the step up
There will be plenty of debate as to which players ought to be included from abroad by Mario Ledesma. Evidence from Los Jaguares in 2020 is that Mayco Vivas is the top loose head, but the others are not yet to secure places for Los Pumas. Come July there may therefore be players from abroad selected. Facundo Gigena is arguably the first name in this regard. However, Jerónimo Negrotto’s move from the Pro D2 to the Top 14 has been a success. He may yet be able to debut for Argentina at the age of 31.

Nick Civetta Delivering for Vannes
Regular ARN readers will know full well that Nick Civetta was a leading USA player during the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. His move to France this season has seen him continuing his craft very well indeed. He is on the field today for Vannes who are away to Charente. Occupying 7th position with 54 competition points, Vannes are well in range to compete for promotion to the Top 14.