Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

UAR bring fourth professional team into existence

The Puma Trophy during The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and Argentina Pumas at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) announced on Friday the creation of a new Super Rugby Americas franchise, Litoral. The professional side will be co-managed by the Unión Santafesina de Rugby (Santa Fe), the Unión de Rugby de Rosario (Rosario, the largest city in Santa Fe) and the Unión Entrerriana de Rugby (Entre Ríos).

ADVERTISEMENT

UAR president Gabriel Travaglini was present at the signing of the commercial contract, expressing his joy over the combined effort to develop a new Argentinian franchise, as stated on the official website of the Súper Rugby Américas.

“This development strengthens not only Argentina, but also rugby throughout the region, because it expands the talent pool, raises the bar, and enhances the spectacle. We are convinced that this addition will enrich the tournament and serve as a driving force to continue driving the growth of South American rugby.”

The expansion will increase Argentina’s player pool, with more than 30 new contracts, extending the professional game into new regions.

Argentina has been heavily invested in developing Super Rugby Americas as a breeding ground for the next Pumas, beginning with Ceibos and Jaguares XV in 2020. Pampas joined in 2023, alongside the rebranded Ceibos – now Dogos XV. The Tarucas were the most recent addition, representing the traditional rugby stronghold of Tucumán.

Súper Rugby Américas president Marcello Calandra was elated with the news, as stated on the Súper Rugby Américas website.

“As organizers of Super Rugby Americas, we are pleased with the confirmation of an eighth franchise, demonstrating that our tournament is on the right path, continuing to develop players for national teams and generating a wide public interest.”

ADVERTISEMENT

With Litoral’s inclusion, Super Rugby Americas expands to eight franchises: Argentina’s Dogos XV, Pampas and Tarucas, Uruguay’s Peñarol, Brazil’s Cobras, Chile’s Selknam and Paraguay’s Yacaré XV.

The competition will retain its current format, with a round-robin regular season. After 14 rounds, the top four sides progress to single-leg semi-finals.

Peñarol are the current champions. Argentine sides have lifted the trophy twice – Jaguares XV in 2021 and Dogos XV in 2024.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

4 Comments
Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 1 hour ago
Change at the top is only answer for England – Andy Goode

We aren't miles ahead of any other nation in terms of talent at all. I agree Borthwick is a mediocre coach but let's not get carried away. France have won the u20 world cup three out of the last five times and just beat us in both the u20 and u18 six nations… and I don't think many people would claim we've got more talent than SA or the ABs either. Ibitoye isn't someone you want in a test match, he's so unpredictable. In a tight test match there are very few scoring opportunities for wingers but there are lots of opportunities for wingers to make defensive misreads and balls things up. In a tightly contested, low scoring game, you'd much rather have someone like Feyi Wabosi who has X factor but can be relied upon to defend properly or not have a brain farts, we've got other good wingers without needing Ibitoye.

I agree in general with your sentiment but we should be realistic. We've won the u20 WC once in the last decade, won the six nations only twice. A prem club hasn't won anything in Europe since Bristol won the challenge cup when they had Piutau, Radradra. There is talent out there for sure but our clubs and u20s aren't enjoying the level of success which could support statements about us having the most talent in the world. If a new coach comes in they aren't going to wave a magic wand and make us the best team in the world. There are a lot of structural problems and engrained attitudes which need to be overcome within the RFU and Prem etc. Plus any new coach is going to have to undo the damage Borthwick and Wigglesworth have done. They're going to have their work cut out for them.



...

36 Go to comments
Close
ADVERTISEMENT