Jaguares target PRO14 from new home in Spain
THE PRO14 could soon have a South American element after the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) made initial overtures for the Jaguares to be added to the crossborder competition.
Rugby in the southern hemisphere was turned on its head by the pandemic and the defection of South African franchises from Super Rugby to Europe.
Both Australia and New Zealand have since formed their own internal Super Rugby competitions leaving the Jaguares, finalists in 2019, homeless.
It has forced the UAR to lay out initial plans for the Jaguares to be based in Bilbao, Spain while competing in the PRO14 – which is expanding to 16 teams next season with the addition of South African franchises Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.
A source close to the PRO14 said: “The Jaguares showed their quality in their time in Super Rugby and in Argentina it’s seen as vitally important for the game there that they have a competitive club side playing at the highest level.
“A move to the PRO14 would come with its logistical difficulties, but basing a team in Spain could help to grow rugby there too. It is a nation of interest to World and European rugby as we saw when the 2017-18 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals were held in Bilbao.”
The PRO14 currently includes teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Should the PRO14’s board vote to allow the Jaguares into their competition, it would take up to two years for them to be given official entry. From the UAR’s perspective, it is needed quickly.
Following the Jaguares’ exclusion from Super Rugby, a host of top Argentinian internationals have joined European clubs including Gonzalo Bertranou, Julian Montoya and Santiago Carreras who have signed for the Dragons, Leicester Tigers and Gloucester respectively.
The UAR believe it is important to have a topclass domestic side of their own to give the country’s best up-and-coming players the opportunity of playing professional rugby at home.
The Rugby Paper understands private equity firm CVC, who recently acquired a 28 per cent share in the PRO14, are keen on further expansion.
They believe the potential inclusion of the Jaguares would bring more TV revenue.
Such a move wouldn’t go down well in Wales. Supporters there are unhappy with the competition and there is a longing for more Anglo-Welsh fixtures.