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Life breathed into Jaguares as surprise new destination potentially emerges for Argentina's rugby franchise

The Jaguares. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

The Jaguares have become the unfortunate collateral damage of the disbanding of Super Rugby, with New Zealand and Australia forging ahead together while South Africa has joined forces with PRO Rugby in Europe.

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The latest reports out of Ireland, however, suggest that top-tier rugby may not be off the table for the Argentinian side.

While a Jaguares XV has joined the Superliga Americana de Rugby and will compete with sides from throughout South America, the bulk of the squad that have been involved in Super Rugby for the past five years have left the team for greener pastures.

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The SLAR is very much a second-tier competition and while it may evolve into something great in the future, the level of rugby on offer simply isn’t up to the standard that Argentina’s top players demand – nor would there be enough funding to keep some of the world’s best players involved in a tournament that’s only in its infantile stages.

As such, the Super Rugby AU, Top 14, English Premiership and PRO 14 competitions have been inundated with former Jaguares.

According to a report from The 42, however, the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) wish to maintain the Jaguares franchise and have approached PRO Rugby about a potential inclusion in future competitions.

The team would be based out of Bilbao in Spain, reducing any concerns about travel demands.

Per the report, any potential introduction to the PRO14 could take up to two years but the UAR would ideally like to streamline the side’s introduction.

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South African sides the Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions are set to be added to the PRO14 next season but ongoing travel issues due to the coronavirus pandemic could throw a spanner in the works.

The Cheetahs and Kings joined the tournament two years ago but have both had to pull out from the current season due to the travel issues. Neither side will take part in the expanded competition.

A revival of the Jaguares would be welcomed with open arms by the rest of the world. The Argentinian side struggled in their inaugural year playing of Super Rugby in 2016 but made it to the grand final of the 2019 competition.

Private equity firm CVC own a 28% share in the PRO14 and are reportedly keen on further expanding the competition due to the potential extra revenue that could be generated.

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Of course, with the Jaguares’ former players now signed elsewhere, the UAR would have a mission on their hands getting a team together in the near future – which could delay the Jaguares’ possible inclusion.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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