San Cirano Defeats Curupaytí to Earn Promotion to Top 14

San Cirano secured promotion to the elite Top 14 division on November 15, defeating Curupaytí 25–17 in a promotion final at La Plata RC, Rugby Champagne reported.

Simón Larrubia refereed the match. Finishing second and third respectively in the standings during the season, both finalists demonstrated that they possessed the attributes to accompany San Luis next season.

Both clubs spent a decade in the lower divisions following their last appearances in Group I back in 2016. Curupaytí struck first in the final, utilizing a dominant forward pack and a driving maul that troubled the San Cirano defense throughout the first half. The match opened with Curupaytí taking the initiative by playing with grouped forwards, though San Cirano won the initial scrum to generate a penalty. Nicolás Sánchez opened the scoring with a penalty kick at the 4-minute mark to put his side up 3–0 after the Villa Celina team’s possession forced another infringement. Iñaki de Badiola leveled the score at 3–3 with a penalty kick at the 7th minute.

Hooke Tomás Díaz scored two tries during that opening period—his 35th and 36th tries of a wonderful season he will never forget—while fly-half Iñaki de Badiola added points with his boot.

Hervera scored a try converted by Sánchez at the 10th minute after San Cirano opted for a lineout instead of a penalty shot at the posts to execute a great maul, making it 10–3. Curupaytí carried a 17–10 lead into halftime after holding the territorial advantage, completing the first-half scoring with tries from Díaz at the 26th and 33rd minutes, both converted by de Badiola.

San Cirano shifted the momentum after the interval, aided by a favorable wind and tactical kicking, alongside the return of the Villa Celina kicker for the second half. Patricio Crovella leveled the score at 17–17 with a try on the left touchline, converted expertly by Nicolás Sánchez. Sánchez later added a penalty goal to put his side ahead 20–17 as Curupaytí began committing handling errors.

Curupaytí nearly reclaimed the lead when Agustín Mariani flew toward the in-goal area, but a try-saving tackle by Francisco Calello denied the score. Rodrigo Fellay received a yellow card during the sequence, leaving Curupaytí short-handed for the final stretch, while Sánchez had earlier received a yellow card at the 32nd minute.

San Cirano capitalized in the 36th minute when Calello claimed a high kick and delivered a precise pass to Valentino Larocca, who barged over for the decisive try.

De Badiola missed a late penalty attempt in the 39th minute that could have sparked a late comeback. San Cirano closed out the victory to complete a successful campaign, returning to the top tier for the 2027 season alongside San Luis.

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