Pumas ace Tomás Albornoz will continue his career at Toulon in France. The Top 14 club will be home to the Argentine play-maker in a move that sees Albornoz joining from Benetton in Italy and leaving the United Rugby Championship (URC) for the French elite. Details are still being finalized, but the player and club are in agreement: Albornoz will play for Toulon for two seasons, until June 2028.
| CAREER – TOMÁS ALBORNOZ |
Albornoz joined Benetton in 2021 from Argentina. He made the move from Super Rugby Americas (SRA) to the URC as an uncapped player. His move from Italy to France in 2025 comes with him having boomed in status to now be recognized as Argentina’s leading fly half and one of the best players in the position in the world today.
The move to Benetton saw Albornoz rewarded with his first test cap in 2022. He was a replacement on debut against Australia in Mendoza and a try-scorer in winning his second cap, also against the Wallabies, in San Juan one week later.
While playing for Benetton, Albornoz featured in knock-out matches. His new club is no stranger to such matches; indeed, Toulon won the 2013, 2014 and 2025 European Champions Cup, the 2023 European Challenge Cup and the 2014 Top 14.
Toulon were beaten Semi Finalists this past season in France. Bordeaux were 39-24 winners over Toulon. It saw Bordeaux booking a Final against Toulouse and it ended Toulon’s season.
 PATHWAY TO THE TOP WITH LOS PUMAS |
The then Head Coach, Michael Cheika had Santiago Carreras as his first-choice fly half. Albornoz and Nicolás Sánchez were in contention to be the understudy. Cheika ultimately decided on the veteran which saw Albornoz not selected for Rugby World Cup 2023.
Albornoz put the disappointment behind him to make the world make notice in 2024. His opportune city came at the midway stage of the 2024 Rugby Championship. Following a last minute defeat against Australia, Head Coach Felipe Contepomi started Albornoz at fly half.
The move had been tested already as Albornoz played fly half several months earlier against Uruguay in Punta del Este. He scored 19 points that day but, more importantly, organized play brilliantly. The test match against Australia saw Argentina breaking records in handing Australia their all-time biggest defeat. Albornoz came away with 18 points but, again, it was his play-making which stood out as created plays which culminated in tries.
Albornoz was also involved in the 2024 win over New Zealand. He was a second-half replacement that evening in Wellington. The win over Australia handed him, and Los Pumas, two scalps in the same Rugby Championship. What remained was the World Champions, South Africa.
Argentina’s home victory against South Africa saw Los Pumas writing further history. For the first-time since joining the Rugby Championship in 2012, Argentina defeated Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all int he same year. Albornoz scored 17 points in the victory over South Africa at Santiago del Estero.
The 2024 Rugby Championship saw Albornoz stepping out of the shadows to become the undisputed first-choice Pumas fly half. International competition in 2025 began with him putting in a man-of-te-match perforce against the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, Ireland.
In addition to Albornoz demonstrating his abilities, the match served to underline that Albornoz is now a vital component of Felipe Contepomi’s team. He was rested for the July Internationals against England and Uruguay. It saw Argentina lacking the edge that had been on display against the British & Irish Lions only weeks earlier.
| TOULON PUMAS |
Albornoz’s arrival at Toulon comes with long-time servant, Facundo Isa now playing for rivals Pau. This means that Albornoz is presently the only Argentine on the roster at the Top 14 club.
In addition to Isa, Toulon has been home to seven other Pumas who have played for their country at Rugby World Cups. Among them is current Head Coach, Felipe Contepomi. The World Rugby Hall of Famer joined from Leinster. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe won multiple European Championships with the club while World Rugby Hall of Famer Juan Martín Hernández is another Puma who enjoyed success with the club.
Esteban Lozada, Gonzalo Quesada, Nicolás Sánchez and Leonardo Senatore are also former Toulon players. Between them, Rugby World Cups 1999-2023 are all represented. Former Puma Matias Cortese also played for Toulon but never played in a World Cup. Albornoz will be targeting the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
