The match schedule for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 took place today. RWC 2021 will kick-off with the USA vs Europe 1 on Saturday, September 18. It will be the first of two matches that day in Whangarei. The 12-team tournament will operate on a model of equal …

Clermont have signed Tomás Lavanini from the Leicester Tigers. The French Top 14 club have signed the Argentine forward on a two-year-deal. The move is a return to France. Lavanini played for Racing 92 in 2014-2015 before returning to Argentina for Los Jaguares’ inaugural Super Rugby season in 2016. He …

The Melbourne Rebels have signed Argentine lock Ignacio Calás. As such, an additional Argentine player has secured his playing future abroad. The Córdoba second-rower joins the Australian Super Rugby franchise from Los Jaguares. The move is a unique situation in that Calás’ games for Los Jaguares were not in Super …

Los Pumas prop Lucio Sordoni will continue his playing career in Australia. The 22-year-old will do so in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels. Sordoni and Ignacio Calás join the team for the 2021 season. 2021 will see the Melbourne Rebels competing in the domestic Australian Super Rugby competition and …

The Houston SaberCats have confirmed the signatures of Van Stewart, Zachary Short, and Max Tacket for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. All three are US-eligible and part of the team in 2020. Stewart is the most recent arrival. The 23-year-old lock or blindside flanker debuted in the 4th week …

This past weekend saw limited action with even the Saracens match called off. It was France where we found our contenders, but to be truthful the list was short. Francisco Gómez Kodela and Juan Imhoff did well for Lyon and Racing respectively, while Evan Olmstead was prominent in a dominant …

Marcelo Rodríguez is the new SANZAAR chairman. The current Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) president will replace New Zealander Brent Impey. The decision was made on Monday during an online meeting. South Africa Rugby proposed Rodríguez for the role. It was quickly approved by the remaining SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, …

NOLA Gold have confirmed the death of winger Shawn Riley. The 30-year-old Wooster, Ohio, native passed away on Tuesday evening after experiencing severe complications following heart surgery. Riley joined the Gold in 2019, having previously played professionally for the Ohio Aviators in the 2016 PRO season. He made just two …

Castres have re-signed Benjamín Urdapilleta. The Argentine fly half will remain at the Tarns until mid-2022. His contract extension comes following an approach from Perpignan. The Catalans instead contracted fellow Argentine play-maker Patricio Fernández from Lyon. The veteran Urdapilleta joined Castres in 2015. He previously played for Oyonnax (2012-2015) and …

JP Smith is returning for a third season with the Seattle Seawolves. The 26-year-old scrumhalf follows fellow South African Riekert Hattingh in signing on for the 2021 Major League Rugby campaign. Both players were also part of the Ohio Aviators squad at the World Tens Series event in Bermuda. After …

The Austin Gilgronis have signed Australian hooker Hugh Roach for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Despite being just 28 years old he boasts seven Super Rugby campaigns as well as Shute Shield, National Rugby Championship, and Mitre 10 Cup experience. Roach represented Australia at two Junior World Championships before …

Peñarol have signed Facundo Gattas. In doing so the Uruguayan international will play in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby this year. Gattas joins Peñarol from Buenos Aires’ Hindú Club. The 25-year-old Gattas has 33 caps for Uruguay. He made his test debut in 2016 against Canada in the Americas …

Old Glory DC have confirmed the signing of Canadian international Luke Campbell for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 28-year-old returns to the league after a year’s hiatus, having played five matches for the Toronto Arrows during the 2019 campaign. Campbell won his 13th test cap as a replacement …

José Ramón Ayarza is on his way back home from France. The Chilean loose head prop is joining Selknam for the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) season. He is doing so from French club Anglet. Ayarza is Chile’s leading loose head prop. The 27-year-old has 13 test caps …

The Houston SaberCats have added a third Fijian player for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. 23-year-old winger Veramu Dikidikilati arrives at his first professional club, joining from provincial side Naitasiri who compete in the local Skipper Cup. Dikidikilati is a dynamic ball carrier who stands 5’11” (1.80m) and weighs …

Peter Thorburn has passed away. The former USA Eagle Men’s Head Coach was 81-years-old. During his lengthily career Thorburn played for New Zealand provincial giants Auckland. Post retirement he turned to coaching. He was the first coach of North Harbour, beginning in 1985. It was a homecoming for the native of …

Selknam have added a fifth Argentine player for the upcoming season. The Chilean Super Liga Americana de Rugby franchise have signed Maximiliano Filizzola from Argentina Sevens. Maximiliano Filizzola joins the Santiago-based team from the across the border in Mendoza. He is a product of Marista rugby. The 24-year-old is 1.75m …

The San Diego Legion have confirmed a shock move to Las Vegas for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. An official announcement on social media noted that due to the impact of COVID-19 in Southern California, the team will not be able to play at their home venue of Torero Stadium. …

Juan Ignacio Brex has been confirmed on the Italy roster for the 2021 Six Nations. Head Coach Franco Smith has named the Argentine center on his 32-man roster. The selection comes following representative experience for Argentina. The Argentine born and raised player qualified for Italy via the Olympic loophole. Additional …

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 Francisco Gómez Kodela In his 100th appearance for Lyon, Gómez Kodela celebrated victory. His club overcame Montpellier 21-16 in …