After a Six Nations intense, in which Ireland was crowned champion with authority for the second consecutive year, this weekend the club action returned and in them, many Pumas who will seek to be present when international activity returns, in July. The French Top 14, the English Premiership and the United Rugby Championship, which brings together the best teams from Ireland, South Africa, Wales, Scotland and Italy returned to the ring in the final stretch of the season, the time to define those classified for the play-offs.
After a three-day concentration in London, where they set goals for 2024 and carried out some physical tests, the Pumas returned to their clubs. Precisely in London, more precisely at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, two Argentines stood out in one of England’s classics; Juan Martín González and Lucio Cinti They supported tries and had an outstanding performance in the rout of Saracens, the last champion, over Harlequins by 54-7.
Lucio Cinti’s try against Harlequins
Both coming from London Irish, they arrived at Sarries After the World Cup in France, they quickly adapted and a few weeks ago renewed their long-term contracts. “I am very grateful to play in great competitions in Europe, It was always my dream, so I hope to help bring success to this club,” acknowledged Cinti, a versatile back, who has accumulated ten games for the club.
“I needed stability and there is no better place to be than Saracens. I really want to continue with the project and do it in the best way,” highlighted González, who had an immediate impact and in December, his first full month at the club, he was highlighted as player of the month. “Juan made a great impression on and off the field since his arrival after the World Cup. He adapted perfectly to the group and earned everyone’s respect with the consistency of his performances week after week,” his coach praised him. Mark McCall. Two players of 23 years that will surely have a great role on the road to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with Felipe Contepomi como head coach.
John Martin Gonzalez, try for Saracens
In a stadium filled with more than 60,000 fans, the two Argentines returned the club’s confidence with two convincing productions. Not only did they support tries, but they fulfilled their roles perfectly; González was relentless in receiving outings, in defense (14 tackles and one catch) and in his role in the attack across the width of the field. In addition to his opportunism to score (accumulates seven tries in twelve games), assisted the experienced Alex Goode in his. Cinti made three clean breaks in attack and in defense he was very active with nine tackles and good reads to stop his rivals. Saracens showed the best version of themselves against a lackluster rival, and in an unpredictable and changing league they crushed a direct rival to qualify for the semifinals. Due to hierarchy and experience in the squad, the last champion is one of the clear favorites and five days into the play-offs they are third behind Northampton Saints and Bath.
The Premiership, which returned after almost two months, had a correct production of Santiago Carreras as a starter for Gloucester, author of 12 points in the surprise victory over Julián Montoya’s Leicester Tigers. With Eduardo Bello and Matías Moroni, Newcastle Falcons do not raise their head, they fell 25-16 against Exeter Chiefs and have accumulated 13 defeats in the same number of dates.
The close Top 14
With seven dates to go, the French league, the most economically powerful, has the Stade Francais de Francisco Gómez Kodela, who at 38 years old continues to contribute his experience in the scrum. On the 19th day, Benjamín Urdapilleta contributed 11 points in Clermont’s victory over Pau, Domingo Miotti He scored four in Oyonnax’s defeat against Joaquín Oviedo and Ignacio Ruiz’s Perpignan, while Juan Cruz Mallía added eight in one of the best games of the season. Toulouse fell 31-28 to Guido Petti’s Bordeaux Begles in a clash of candidates, vibrant from start to finish. With Facundo Bosch as one of the great figures, Bayonne, which also had Mateo Carreras, Rodrigo Bruni and Lucas Paulos, beat La Rochelle 13-12 and is excited about the play-offs.
In the United Rugby Championship, Lucio Sordoni He scored his first try with the Glasgow Warriors shirt. The Rosario pillar marked a fundamental achievement to overcome a 0-13 deficit and defeat Cardiff Blues 17-13. With Sebastian Cancelliere As a starter, the Scottish team finished third in the table behind Leinster (Ireland) and Bulls (South Africa) in the fight for the quarterfinals. In that fight, Benetton (Ignacio Mendy, Bautista Bernasconi and Tomás Albornoz participated) missed a good opportunity and fell on their visit to Scarlets 16-13.