Newcastle have added to their Argentinean contingent with the signing of Pumas international Pedro Rubiolo, who inks a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The Falcons are gaining a 6’3″ forward, who can play in the back-row or second-row, as he joins Mateo Carreras, Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni at the club.
Rubiolo made his Test debut for Los Pumas against the Springboks in September 2022 and having just turned 20 years of age, he is a hugely exciting prospect.
Toured Europe with Pumas
A former U20s player, he was part of the Pumas squad which toured Europe in November and played for the Jaguares XV in the Super Liga Americana de Rugby.
Rubiolo touched down in England on Sunday and will be warmed by some familiar international team-mates at the Premiership club in the aforementioned trio.
“Pedro’s been capped by his country at just 19 years of age, and will also have benefited from being on their recent European tour,” said head coach Dave Walder.
“It is obviously challenging to be joining a club mid-season with having to learn the language, new systems and all the rest of it, but he looks to have the ability and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can add to our group.
“Our Argentina boys obviously know him from their international camp so will be able to help ease his transition, and it’s great to be able to add to the squad as we look to really attack the back half of the season.”
Newcastle Falcons are currently preparing for their Premiership game against Leicester Tigers on Saturday, with the match taking place at Kingston Park.
Rubiolo’s arrival will be a boost for Falcons fans after the 24-16 defeat to Bath over the weekend, with head coach Walder putting a positive spin on the loss.
Looking to bounce back
“We managed the conditions really well in the first half without possibly getting the rewards we felt we were deserving of,” he said.
“Ultimately Bath managed the conditions better in the second half and got their rewards.
“We could easily have come away with more points. If we had done so at half-time it could have been slightly different, but we didn’t.
“Fair play to Bath, they did what they needed to do to stay in the game and ultimately came back, managed the game well and got the victory.”
Click Here: Bruno Fernandes jersey sale