Super Rugby Americas kicks off with Peñarol seeking a hat-trick of ...

The new Super Rugby Americas season gets underway on Friday 16 February with 2023 runners-up Dogos XV, one of two Argentine teams, taking on USA outfit, the American Raptors, at Tala Rugby Club in Córdoba.

All seven teams return from last year's competition, which was won by Peñarol Rugby. The Uruguayan team also won the title in 2022 and are chasing a hat-trick.

Peñarol begin their title defence on Saturday away to Brazilian team Cobras, who will play at their new home, the Polysesported Estadio MuniciaPl ‘du Cambusano, in Jacareí.

In the final fixture of the weekend, Paraguayan team Yacare XV host Pampas, the other Argentine franchise.

The 2022 runners-up Selknam, who supplied the majority of Chile's Men's Rugby World Cup 2023 squad, have a bye weekend.

Showcasing the best professional club rugby in the region, the Super Rugby Americas is supported by World Rugby and has the backing of all the participating unions. 

The four-month-long competition runs until Friday 14 June and encompasses 45 matches, giving the players involved vital top-level experience on the road to test rugby.

"We are all very excited for the beginning of a new season of the top professional competence of the region," said Daniel Hourcade, High Performance (HP) Manager of Sudamérica Rugby and Senior HP Advisor to World Rugby.

“Super Rugby 2024 marks a start for our franchises, but above all, it is also an important moment for the unions on their road to Rugby World Cup 2027. They need this tournament, as was proved by the very good performances of Uruguay and Chile in Rugby World Cup in France last year. "

The former Los Pumas coach added: “With each season, the growth as a tournament, and in the way the game is played, is clear and it is a reflection of the work and passion that all those involved put in to make it the best tournament in America. "

Peñarol Rugby

Under the leadership of the new coach Leonardo Senatore – who was a member of the American Raptors staff in 2023 – Peñarol Rugby are in an evolutionary period after a large contingent of players moved overseas.

However, leader Mateo Sanguinetti remains the front row, as do second-row Felipe Aliaga and captain Santiago Civetta. Several sevens players involved will be available whenever their busy schedule allows. 

Dogos XV

The 2023 finalists have the huge challenge of going one better than in their first season. With the passionate support of the Cordoba fans, Nicolás Galatro has kept the same coaching staff from last year, as well as the core of his squad.

Captain Franco Molina is back after the Achilles operation that cost him most of last season and a probable place in Argentina's RWC 2023 squad. He will form a powerful second-row partnership with Lautaro Simes, one that could be seen in the test arena shortly. 

Agustín Moyano and Julián Hernández will run the backs, with Mateo Soler a classy operator at full-back.

Pampas

Former Puma Juan Manuel Leguizamón makes his coaching debut and leads a new staff, along with his former international team-mates Nicolás Vergallo and Rodrigo Martínez. He will seek to imprint his personality on a squad with many new players.

Amongst them will be Ignacio Inchauspe, who transfers from Yacare XV, and is competing for a place in the Pumas setup, having trained with the team in preparation for RWC 2023. 

Santiago Montagner returns from France, and having shone with Sudamérica XV last year, Manuel Nogués returns to the UAR’s High Performance programme.

Yacare XV

Winger Ramiro Moyano will be the most experienced player in the Paraguayan franchise team, having played for Los Pumas and Jaguares during their four seasons in Super Rugby. He played for the American Raptors in 2023.

Countryman Ricardo Le Fort will again be the head coach of a team that is taking steps forward, seeking to raise the level of Paraguayan rugby. His assistant coaches are Ramiro Peman, Diego Ternavasio and Juan Ávila.

Youth is noticeable in the squad, including the youngest player in the tournament, 18-year-old centre Philip Hug de Belmont. He will have Ramiro Amarilla, one of Paraguay's most-talented players, alongside him in midfield. 

Again, the work rate of second-row Mariano Garcete will be crucial to the team.

Selknam Rugby

After Chile's positive debut at RWC 2023, many of Selknam’s players have moved overseas, which will allow Kiwi Jacob Mangin, who was based in Brazil with the union’s HP programme, to develop new players for RWC 2027.

There will still be some experienced players, with nine forwards and seven backs who were in France last year.

Four wins in 12 games last year was a reflection that the main focus was on preparing the team for their Rugby World Cup debut in September. This time, the goal will be to improve on fifth place. 

American Raptors

Only a 38-34 win over Cobras in the last round of the competition prevented American Raptors from taking the wooden spoon in 2023.

An attack-minded team, the Raptors managed to pick up six bonus points and that game against the Cobras was one of five matches where they scored 30 points or more. 

A coaching reshuffle sees Englishman Dave Butcher take control of the team with last year's head coach, Sarah Chobot, working under him as scrum coach. Cory Hector comes on board as attack coach. 

Uruguayan Diego Magno – the Americas region's most-capped international – and former Puma prop Diego Fortuny and fly-half Ignacio Mieres will bring all their experience to a team that will have Tommy Clark and Aki Pulu as two of their key players.

Cobras Brazil Rugby

Opening with consecutive matches against the defending champions and the finalists in 2023, Cobras Brazil Rugby must be ready from day one.

Despite some positive signs, Cobras propped up last year's standings with just one win to their name – against Selknam.

Internationals make up the majority of head coach Josh Reeves's squad and his role is to ensure they develop their game further so that new Tupis head coach Emiliano Caffera receives them in their best state.

Brendon Alves, Endy Willian, Gabriel Paganini, André Arruda, Daniel Lima and Lucas Tranquez are some of the names that will lead the team.

In Alain Altahona, Colombia has its only representative in the tournament.