'Most Argentinian-born players who play for Spain have lived here since a young age'

Spain is set to host Uruguay, Chile and Samoa this November in the Nations Cup, and Los Leones fans will certainly hope for a few wins, strong performances and a climb up the table. While the French-based players will play a key role in helping the team achieve its goals, the work and input of the locally based players will be just as pivotal, if not more so.

Head coach Pablo Bouza has been working daily to give the Spain-based players the best chance of reaching the top, drawing on a deep well of knowledge and experience. A former Pumas international and assistant coach, Bouza’s Argentinian background isn’t unique to Spanish rugby; a handful of current squad members come from there, giving Los Leones an extra edge. One is Vicente Boronat, who left his home country in 2023 and found a new home in Spain.

In the back-rower’s opinion, the rugby ties between Argentina and Spain run deep and have been pivotal for both countries in more than one way.

“I believe it is a very positive connection that offers many advantages,” stated the 29-year-old.

“Argentina has a strong rugby culture with deep roots and a pathway system that has developed players to compete at a very high level. Likewise, Spain has many people with a strong rugby background. Both countries have a deep passion for sport.”

In his view, the depth of knowledge and high-level experience possessed by coaches such as Pablo Bouza, Raúl Pérez and others is a factor that has helped move Spanish rugby forward.

“They bring top-tier experience. Having played in World Cups, faced the best national teams, and competed in the most demanding leagues gives you a different perspective on the game. That experience shapes how you prepare for a match, manage key moments, train, and make decisions.”

Although the relationship and connection between the two nations deserves to be highlighted and praised, Bouza explains that the exponential growth of the Spanish pathway system has been one of the most valuable cornerstones of Los Leones’ Men’s Rugby World Cup qualification.

“For me, what was more important above all was the great work at the grassroots and in the youth pathway. While we can highlight that connection, I think we should highlight what we have been doing at the youth level, which helped us qualify for the World Cup.”

Although thousands of kilometres separate these countries, they speak essentially the same language: Spanish. For players like Boronat, the absence of that barrier makes it much easier to understand one another.

“Sharing the same language helps, yes. Communication is more direct, and you can be clearer and understood more easily. Furthermore, adapting to daily life and the dressing room tends to be easier. I believe this speeds up the integration process and lets the player contribute from the start,” echoed the Spanish international.

“However, I don’t think this guarantees success, since adaptability and day-to-day work also matter. But it is certainly a significant advantage.”

As for Bouza, the head coach quickly points out that while a shared language can help, it is far from the most important factor in the team’s success.

“Sharing a language that is mostly the same helps, as Vicente stated, but people have to realise that most Argentinian-born players who play for Spain have lived here since a young age,” stated Bouza.

“At the same time, and despite sharing the same root, that doesn’t mean we completely understand each other, as there are more than a few differences. Spanish rugby uses French rugby terminology, which isn’t common for Argentinians.”

While Spain and Argentina share that special connection, the head coach argues that his side wants to establish its own identity and style of play based on a desire to showcase a brilliant, cunning attack and a passionate, relentless mindset.

“Argentina and Spain share something but have their own identity, which is of course also shaped or influenced by who is coaching those teams at that time. Right now, we want to play a game that imposes threats all around.”

Circling back to the Argentina-Spain link, Agustín Creevy joined Spain’s camps in 2024, sharing his set-piece insights and more, an experience that resonated strongly with Vicente Boronat and his team-mates.

“I think Agustín’s involvement at that time contributed a great deal. At the same time, our staff’s work, combined with long-term planning for the Iberians and the high-performance programme, has been excellent. I believe all of it helps us improve gradually and get better every day.”

Bouza’s close relationship with the Pumas made this possible, and for the coach, the most important aspect was the mindset Creevy conveyed.

“Above all, what I think my players liked most about Agustín Creevy was how simple and direct everything was. He had played against the All Blacks a few months earlier and was now there to share knowledge and ideas. I find these experiences important for the team.”

The experience gained over the past few years has been important for Spain as it prepares for an intense month of November. After a win, a draw and a loss in July, Los Leones are focused on leaving fans satisfied after another Nations Cup campaign.

“July was a good experience for us. It was tough; we had to jump from one city to the next in North America, but we learned a lot. Now, looking to November, I believe every team is on equal terms, which is good for the Nations Cup.”

Boronat, one of the standout performers in July, is confident that July’s lessons will serve the team well ahead of November.

“Honestly, the experience we had leading up to the Samoa and Tonga tour was spectacular; it wasn’t just about the training – we were able to chat and talk, and that helps us a huge amount in every way.”

With exactly one year to go until the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, Spain will share the same pool as the Pumas, a pairing Bouza hoped to avoid.

“Argentina means a lot to me, so yes, I wasn’t looking for our destinies to cross. It is still far away, so we are not thinking about it right now. The Nations Cup and the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship come first. It will be a special game for several people, and we will cross that bridge when we get there.”

With so much still to come and so much yet to happen, Bouza wants to deliver one thing: a strong-willed Spain capable of fighting for every match right down to the last second.

“Our goal is to get better and perform at a high level. We are expecting highly competitive games, with each team looking to be ready to fight for the win until the last play. We want to showcase who we are and how far we can go.”