The Breakthrough Player of the Year is somewhat of a loosely defined category. It doesn’t necessitate that a player has achieved international stardom, nor does it require a player to necessarily have achieved international recognition at all. Any player who has demonstrated a significant rise in their standards over the …

The introduction of the Americas Rugby Championship has given Brazil a major boost not just in terms of competition standards but perhaps more importantly in sheer volume of test matches. Previously they would go no higher than six tests in a calendar year – in 2016 they had a record …

Olympic Bronze medalist Jen Kish returns to the Canadian lineup for the first time since leading the team in the historic event in Brazil as Canada prepare to resume the HSBC Sevens Series in Sydney this coming weekend. Fellow Olympian Ghislaine Landry will retain the captaincy, however, with Kish instead …

The Women’s Eagles will have an unusual sight in their lineup for the Sydney 7s this coming weekend. An injury to Bulou Mataitoga has seen World Cup prop Hope Rogers called into the group of 12 for the second stop on the HSBC Sevens Series. In a game typically reserved …

Chile have announced a list of 27 players to travel to Sao Paulo for the opening match of the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship on Friday. In doing so they have also revealed their probable starting lineup for the game with a couple surprises. Veteran COBS flyhalf Francisco Cruz looks set …

A double for the Americas took place this weekend as a player from either team scored in Bayonne vs Brive. Martín Bustos Moyano and Taku Ngwenya both scored in the round 17 match of the French league. The former Puma scored in the 71st minute while the Eagle did so on …

Argentina rugby mourns the loss of Bernardo Miguens. The former CUBA and Puma fullback suffered an accident while on vacation in Pinamar and was unable to respond to treatment. He passed away while being transported to Buenos Aires. He was 58. The fourth child of a rugby family, his brothers …

Six players have today signed on with the UAR until 2019. All six are regarded as elite Argentine players and on course to play at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. In signing all are under the control of the Argentine union and free to play at all times for all …

Utility back Segundo Tuculet has joined the Argentina XV roster to face Canada. The younger brother of leading fullback, Joaquín Tuculet, has been called-up to replace Franco Cuaranta. The Argentina X is departing today for Canada. The Argentine ‘A’ side will play away against Canada on Saturday in an opening …

The Americas will be sandwiched together in one pool as the draw for the Sydney 7s has been made. Canada will headline Pool D after their excellent 4th place finish in Wellington, with Argentina, the USA, and Russia completing the pool. Ranked 12th, Canada trail 9th-ranked Argentina by only four …

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week. UP Canada 7s An outstanding day one from Canada at the Wellington 7s saw them producing their best opening-day effort at an HSBC …

Canadian heavyweight Adam Zaruba has been selected to the official HSBC Dream Team for the Wellington 7s. The 120kg (265lbs) giant enjoyed his finest tournament to date, the 19th in his career since making his debut in October 2014. A superb individual performance against Scotland in the opening match put …

South Africa proved to be well ahead of the pack in Wellington as they cruised to a 26-5 win over Fiji in the Cup Final early Sunday morning. It was the second time the two had met in the tournament, with the Fijians falling 31-12 in the pool stages on …

Argentina defeated New Zealand in the Wellington 7’s. The win over the All Blacks on their home turf gave Los Pumas 7’s fifth place in the tournament. The match was Argentina’s third of the day. Earlier on Argentina fell to a 17-12 defeat at the hands of Canada before recovering …

Rugby World Cup 2023 is set to be first tournament in Europe without games being played in Wales. Since the inaugural tournament in 1987 Europe has hosted every second event. Played in 1991, 1999, 2007 and 2015 all four have included matches in Wales. Rugby World Cup 2023’s official host …

The Scottish Rugby Union and Head Coach have clashed over Player Eligibility Laws. With Scotland being one of the world’s predominant benefactors of the three-year residency rule the words of the national coach are all the more powerful. Head Coach Vern Cotter has backed the widespread calls to change the controversial …

Brazil coach Rodolfo Ambrosio has named 26 players to prepare for the opening match of the Americas Rugby Championship against Chile, to take place at the Estádio do Pacaembu on February 3. Veteran no8 Nick Smith will captain the side that includes a number of returnees from the 2016 tournament …

Lautaro Bavaro is to skipper the Argentina XV. The Hindú flanker will lead Argentina’s ‘A’ side in the upcoming Americas Rugby Championship. Having played in all five matches of the inaugural tournament in 2016 he is now to lead the side in their title defense. Aged 22, Bavaro is uncapped …

Canada were the toast of Day One in Wellington as they produced their best opening-day effort at an HSBC Sevens Series tournament in three years. Head coach Damian McGrath could not have asked for a better start to 2017 as his charges emerged with a perfect three-from-three to top Pool …

Round 17 of the Top 14 will be played this weekend. France’s premier league will see world class players involved from around the world. Involved are to be a host of players from the Americas. Both Toulon and La Rochelle are gunning for European titles. They are also both on track …