Francisco Gómez Kodela has retired from rugby. With a Pumas career from 2008-2025, the Gómez Kodela officially retired as the oldest Puma, surpassing Agustín Creevy. The retirement call comes with the completion of the July Internationals.
Gómez Kodela featured for Argentina against England and Uruguay in July. The home test match against Uruguay was his final cap. Gómez Kodela started at tight head prop in the 52-17 win in Salta. It was his 43rd cap and he joined Santiago Cordero in retiring from international duty with a win.
Cordero remains active as a rugby player and is exploring opportunities at expanding on his professional career. He has played for Jaguares (Argentina), Exeter Chiefs (England), Bordeaux (France) and Connacht (Ireland).
Gómez Kodela also played for Bordeaux but not at the same time as Cordero. The tight head prop played in France from 2011-2025. He played for Biarritz, Bordeaux, Lyon and Stade Français.
He was a European Challenge Cup winner with Lyon in 2022. Lyon were 30-12 winners over Toulon in an all-French clash. The title remains the biggest accomplishment in the history of the club.
Gómez Kodela is a product of Belgrano Athletic in Buenos Aires. He was born and raised in the Argentine capital. He made his test debut for Argentina in 2008 against Uruguay in Montevideo. His Pumas career changed forever in 2000. Following the end of the Jaguares-priority selection policy, Gómez Kodela was recalled for the famous win over New Zealand in Sydney in 2020. He went on to start at the Rugby World Cup 2023 Semi Final in Paris.
Retirement means Gómez Kodela will not play again for Argentina. The upcoming 2025 Rugby Championship will thus see opportunities for other tight head props. Argentina are yet to field Eduardo Bello this year. Bello as injured playing against Australia in the 2024 Rugby Championship.
Bello and Gómez Kodela were used by Michael Cheika as Argentina’s tight head props at Rugby World Cup 2023. Cheika moved Joel Sclavi to loose head prop. In 2024, Felipe Contepomi reverted Sclavi to tight head prop. Sclavi started in the position in the 2024 win over New Zealand and the 2025 win over the British & Irish Lions. He was replaced by Francisco Coria Marchetti.
Coria Marchetti replaced Gómez Kodela in his final test match while Pedro Delgado was also used in the home series against England. In other words, Sclavi, Coria Marchetti and Delgado are the favorites to be the tight head prop options on the roster to face New Zealand in Córdoba and Buenos Aires.
The retirement of Gómez Kodela coincides with two Pumitas tight head props having secured their future in the Top 14. Tomás Rapetti and Gael Galván are new recruits for the upcoming French season. Additional Argentine tight head props in France include Facundo Pomponio, Lucio Sordoni and Santiago Medrano.
