SLAR signing Rodrigo Martnez to stay at Wasps after impressing coaches

Wasps have confirmed that prop Rodrigo Martínez has extended his contract, despite suffering an Achilles injury just weeks after joining the club.

The Pumas international joined Wasps in December from Súper Liga Americana de Rugby side Olímpia Lions and has impressed them enough to earn an extension.

The loosehead-prop made his Wasps debut on Boxing Day against London Irish and went on to make three appearances in Black and Gold, before picking up the Achilles injury in the warm-up before the win over Saracens.

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Six Nations Review and Sinckler’s Sauna | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 21

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Six Nations Review and Sinckler’s Sauna | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 21

“We are extremely happy that Rodrigo has agreed a new contract with us,” said Wasps head coach Lee Blackett. “We were gutted when Rodrigo picked up his injury last month. He had just started to get some game time and hit some form.

“We were very impressed by what we saw in training and matches in his short amount of time at the Club so far, and we are looking forward to seeing him back in Black and Gold next season.”

Martínez added: “I have really enjoyed my short time at Wasps so far and I am very happy to commit my future to the Club.

“The players, coaches and back-room staff have been very welcoming to me since my arrival and hopefully I can repay them with some good performances in a Wasps shirt.”

Just 23-year-old, Martínez made his international debut for Argentina in September and has gone on to earn three caps, his most recent coming in the Autumn Nations Cup against France in November.

2021 was somewhat of a breakthrough year for Martínez and he was recruited by Paraguayan side Olímpia Lions to play in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR).

Martínez earned his international call-up off the back of his fine form for Olímpia, appearing eight times and scoring two tries in the SLAR. The 6ft 2in Argentinian is a product of Los Tordos Rugby Club in Mendoza and was enlisted at the Argentinian Regional High-Performance Center. The 120kg forward has also represented Argentina U20s and Argentina’s second team, the Argentina XV.