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Joel Sclavi is moving from La Rochelle in the Top 14 to the Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership. Confirmation came from L’Equipe of the move which means the ongoing season will be Sclavi’s last at the French club.
The Argentine tight head prop arrived in La Rochelle in 2021 from Argentina. It was a return to France after he had previously played for Pau, Charente and Agen from 2015-2019. He returned home to Argentina to play Super Rugby for Los Jaguares in 2020.
Sclavi has enjoyed success at La Rochelle. He it a two-time European Champions Cup winner with the club. His European professional club titles in 2022 and 2023 coincided with him becoming a regular in Los Pumas.
Injury delayed Sclavi’s Pumas debut. The long-awaited debut came in July 2022 with Argentina defeating Scotland in Jujuy. The following month he started for Los Pumas in their first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.
The Leicester Tigers will be Sclavi’s first British experience. As noted, his previous professional rugby clubs have been in France and Argentina. He will make the move to the English Premiership at the age of 32. He has the same number of test caps, 32 at present.
