Rugby in Spain takes major step towards professionalism

The Real Federación Española de Rugby has taken a step towards the professionalisation of their men’s team, offering grants to 27 players who will from now on be working mostly with the Spanish national team and the Castilla y León Iberians franchise.

Additionally, the union has struck a short-term deal with three extra players, with fullback John Wessel Bell among them.

Director of Rugby Jose Antonio Barrio granted an interview to RugbyPass, explaining how the programme is going to unfold and revealing the framework and goals.

“Our goal is to monitor and have control over each of the players’ season, mainly their fatigue levels,” said the former head coach of Spain’s women’s team.

“The majority of our Spanish internationals were playing 30-35 games per season, between club and national team’s commitments. They were stretched thin and unable to show their best form consistently. Our relationship with the clubs was worsening by the second, and by opting for this new framework, we managed to find a way to work in harmony with all parties.”

While the short-term plan focuses on monitoring players to enhance their growth and development, Barrio is certain that the real impact will only be felt in three to six years.

“Our mid-term plan goes beyond the Rugby Europe Super Cup and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Although our work has already begun, the most significant results will only be experienced in the next World Cup cycle. That’s our target.”

The 30 players who have agreed to the special sports grant contract will primarily work with the national team and the Iberians, but they will also be allowed to feature for their clubs in the last few months of the local club season.

The Spanish Rugby Union has been able to convince several players to return home, giving them a chance as professional rugby players in their native land.

“There were players who weren’t doing so well in France, Italy and England, and we wanted to give them a chance to have a better platform and conditions. We have managed to recover five players. It doesn’t mean they can’t leave in the future to pursue a contract with a top-level French club, etc. We want to show players that going abroad isn’t the only solution or pathway to keep playing rugby at a high level,” explained Jose Antonio Barrio.

The director of rugby was pleased with how players and clubs welcomed the centralised grant programme, a necessary step for Spain to have a better fighting chance to reach the top.

“Periods of change are always challenging for everyone. Even though the clubs were worried, everyone came together to reach an agreement, as we are all worried about the same issue: the players. We want them to be at their best, be it for the national team, Iberians and the clubs.”

“We are happy with the players who have made the decision to accept the grant and work with us. There were a few others who opted to keep their status as it was, and we had no problem with it. I can reveal that the number of rejections was very low, with the overall majority embracing our project. The Spanish Rugby Union and the Spanish player have the same goal: to be part of the global rugby elite,” added Spain’s DoR.

Test match stars Estanislao Bay, Gonzalo Vinuesa, Thierry Futeu, Lucas Santamaría, Matthew Foulds, Álvar Gimeno and Santiago Ovejero are amongst the players who welcomed the change, signing the grant contract deal.

They will have to pause their careers outside of rugby, as the RFER wants them to be fully dedicated to the sport.

“Players will have to obey a schedule, which will make it challenging for them to keep a second job. They will be away from their homes for at least six months per year. We want them to be completely focused on the project, their duties and development.”

The Iberians franchise will act as a springboard for the Spanish national team, boosting the Leones’ chances as a contestant for the world’s top 15.

In addition to the 30 players, ten Spanish Espoir contract players will be permitted to participate occasionally with the Iberians and attend national team training camps.

However, for Jose Antonio Barrio, results aren’t the primary concern for the staff.

“Looking to this season as year zero, our goal is to lay the foundations and help our players improve and grow. Results can be important, but our worries and goals have to go beyond that. We need to provide the national team with players who can impact the Test Match scene in a more significant way.”

Barrio shed light on the Iberians’ schedule, as the Rugby Europe Super Cup might not be the only competition that the franchise features in, with conversations already taking place.

“We are working closely with World Rugby in terms of playing opportunities for our Iberian franchise. The Rugby Europe Super Cup is, for now, our main competition, but the contracted players will still have a ten-game void to fill, and we do hope something can be worked out in the near future.”

The Iberians will start their Rugby Europe Super Cup campaign on October 10th, facing the Brussels Devils at Palencia’s Nueva Balastera stadium.

Former Jaguares head coach Raúl Pérez has been chosen as the franchise’s head coach, working directly with Pablo Bouza, Spain’s national team head coach.

“Raúl Pérez has been working and managing our national youth academies for the last few years and has a clear idea of how we work,” explains Barrio.

“He coached Spain’s U20s in the last few years, deeply influencing most of those players who will be playing in the Iberians. He also possesses a vast experience as a top-level head coach.”

As the Iberians men’s side may be added to a new competition in 2026, Barrio is also working with the Spanish Union and World Rugby to provide a competitive schedule for their women’s programme.

“We are waiting for World Rugby to reveal what comes next after the World Cup, mainly the WXV and possibly international competitions for our women’s franchise. It is vital for us to understand where we go next, be it joining a Celtic League, a French competition or playing against the South African franchises.”

As players gear up to play their first of 27 season games, Barrio expects other European unions to follow Spain’s lead and develop their own centralised player contract programmes.

For him, the agreement might have its risks, but it will certainly push Spain towards a new era.

“The board was aligned with our ideas, and this change will be impactful and big for our players and country. I am happy with the project and plan, and without knowing if it will go well or not, the fact that we set our differences aside and forged something new. This is a positive step for all parties involved.”