Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Iñaki Ayarza is to join Vannes, reports Mathieu Vich for Rugby Rama. The upcoming announcement will see the Chilean World Cup fullback moving north from Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente to Vannes at the end of the 2023-2024 Pro D2 season.
Ayarza had been approached by the 2022 Top 14 champions, Montpellier. Vich writes that the move will not eventuate with the Chilean instead to join Jean-Noël Spitzer’s team at Vannes. Importantly, for Vannes, the 24-year-old Ayarza is a JIFF player.
Vannes has a strong connection to South America. Former Puma flanker Francisco Gorrissen is captain. Argentina XV back-rower Juan Bautista Pedemonte is also at the club as is Uruguayan captain Andrés Vilaseca. Ayarza and Vialseca played against each-other in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in July 2023. Ayarza scored a second-half try in a match won 26-25 by Los Teros.
Ayarza was busy for Chile at the World Cup. Despite usually playing as a center in France, Pablo Lemoine used him at fullback. Ayarza made many take notice as he represented his country at the World Cup against Japan in Toulouse, Samoa in Bordeaux, England in Lille, and Argentina in Nantes.
Ayarza is a product of the PWCC club in Santiago, Chile. He moved to Bayonne, France as an academy player in 2018. Having also played for Anglet, he moved from Bayonne to Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente in 2021. He helped the team win promotion from the Nationale to the Pro D2 that season.
Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente is now battling to avoid relegation from the Pro D2. In contrast to this is Vannes’ season. The club is well-placed to appear in the play-off. After 20 rounds of the season, Vannes are tied for second position. Béziers lead with just two more competition points.
