World Rugby Council have approved dramatic eligibility changes to international rugby that will allow players to represent a second nation after a three-year stand-down period from their last ‘binding’ representative appearance for their first nation. According to Uruguayan journalist Ignacio Chans, the vote passed by a vote of 39 in …

The year 2021 was a busy one for Argentina. Los Pumas played twelve test matches, doing so in three continents, none of which were South America. Coach Mario Ledesma handed first caps to thirteen players, in doing so there was a very high average of more than one test debut …

The New England Free Jacks have signed flanker Slade McDowall on a three-year deal through the 2024 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Otago having previously played for New Zealand Schools and trialed for his country’s u20 side. Though just 23 years of age McDowall has already played five …

World Rugby have taken a significant step forward in determining the hosts for the next four Rugby World Cups. Preferred candidates have been chosen for Rugby World Cups 2025 and 2027, with England taking the lead for the Women’s event and Australia the Men’s tournament. While stopping short of handing …

Rugby ATL continue to prepare for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The club has made a notable signing; Joaquín de la Vega Mendía joins the team from Argentina. The 22-year-old will make the move north to Atlanta, Georgia, from Hindú in the URBA Top 12. It sees Rugby ATL …

Nueve equipos sudamericanos y centroamericanos competirán en el Estadio Nacional de San José de Costa Rica por el título regional y dos plazas a Rugby World Cup Sevens. Los seleccionados de Brasil, Chile, Uruguay, Guatemala, Perú, Panamá, El Salvador, Nicaragua y el anfitrión Costa Rica jugarán el sábado 27 y …

New England Free Jacks lock Jackson Thiebes has announced his retirement from rugby at the age of 27. The decision to pursue a career outside of the sport comes just days after the club confirmed the arrival of Stan van den Hoven from New Zealand on a two-year deal. Thiebes …

Old Glory DC have signed Canadian international Jake Ilnicki for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 29-year-old tighthead prop arrives from the Seattle Seawolves and fills the gap left by the departure of Steven Longwell to RFU Championship side Jersey Reds. Ilnicki has been a regular in match day …

The Toronto Arrows have announced the signing of tighthead prop Isaac Salmon for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. At the same time contract extensions have been confirmed for returning players Mason Flesch and Tyler Rowland, both of whom represented Canada in 2021. Salmon arrives from the Tasman Mako in …

Former USA international Emilie Bydwell has been named Head Coach of the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens. The 36-year-old was unanimously approved by a five-person panel top succeed Chris Brown, who stepped down from the role following the Tokyo Olympics. Originally from Montreal, Québec, Bydwell earned Collegiate All-American honors while at …

Allen Vansen is stepping down from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Rugby Canada. The organization today announced the beginning of a leadership transition that will see Vansen stay in the role through January 31, 2022. The search for a new CEO has begun effective immediately. Vansen attached a …

The Houston SaberCats have added considerable bulk to their forward pack with the signing of USA Eagles lock Siaosi Mahoni from the San Diego Legion. At 6’8″ (2.03m) and 295lbs (134kg) the East Palo Alto native is among the largest players in Major League Rugby. Mahoni has been with the …

The Wasps have signed Pumas loose head prop Rodrigo Martínez. The Rugby Paper report that the deal will see the 2021 Argentine rookie playing for the English Premiership club until at least the end of the 2021-2022 season. The move caps off a breakthrough year for Martínez. He was recruited …

Argentina will have three home test matches against Scotland in July 2022. The three match series will be historic; never before have Scotland toured Argentina for so many matches. The Northern British test team’s prior tours to Argentina have been for one or two test matches. The tour will see …

Djustice Sears-Duru is the latest Canadian international to join the LA Giltinis. The 27-year-old prop has signed a two-year deal with the defending Major League Rugby champions, mimicking that of former Toronto Arrows center Ben LeSage. Corey Thomas and DTH van der Merwe are also at the club. This past …

Six North American internationals have been named in the Women’s Barbarians squad to face a South Africa XV at Twickenham on November 27. The match is part of a double-header with the Men’s Barbarians taking on a Manu Samoa XV. Four come from the US Eagles. Prop Hope Rogers, second …

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It covers the best and worst from games involving the Americas players and teams over the previous week.   UP Chile make history in Russia A sensational come-from-behind performance saw Chile downing Russia 30-29 on Sunday morning, Americas time. …

The Americas Rankings is an exclusive on Americas Rugby News. The rankings compare the men’s test teams from throughout the Americas. Matches recognized as caps are used for the rankings. Teams yet to compete since the Americas Rankings began are listed with 30.00 points. The Americas were represented by Brazil, …

History of the wrong kind was made in Dublin, Ireland today. Tomás Lavanini’s red card for Argentina against Ireland saw him red carded for the third time in his test rugby career. This is more than any other player to have pulled on the jersey for Los Pumas. Lavanini was …

On the same day in that Argentina were beaten by Ireland by a record margin, the Pumas head coach confirmed that he will retain his position. Mario Ledesma has confirmed that he will retain his post as Argentina’s head coach. The former test hooker will be the man to take …