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Bristol sign Scotland fly-half Tom Jordan and Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo

charles richardson
·2-min read
Tom Jordan runs with the ball during the Autumn Nations Series match between Scotland South Africa - Bristol sign Scotland fly-half Tom Jordan and Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo
Scotland’s versatile full-back Tom Jordan impressed against Springboks - Getty Images/David Rogers

Bristol have bolstered their squad for next season by securing the services of international duo Tom Jordan and Pedro Rubiolo.

Jordan, the Glasgow Warriors fly-half, who starred at full-back for Scotland in the defeat by South Africa, and Rubiolo, Newcastle Falcons’s Argentine forward, will both join Bristol on three-year deals from the beginning of next season, with the highly-rated Jordan understood to be on a salary around £300,000.

Telegraph Sport understands that the duo will arrive at Ashton Gate as a key part of director of rugby Pat Lam’s plans. Incumbent fly-half AJ MacGinty has only one year remaining on his current contract, while Rubiolo, 21, will join a pack which already contains two Argentines, the Grondona brothers, Santiago and Benjamín.

Glasgow fought hard to keep hold of Jordan, who also declined offers from within the Premiership as well as Top 14 side Montpellier.

The New Zealand-born playmaker, who has two caps for Scotland having qualified on residency, earned his first international start playing at full-back on Sunday against world-champions South Africa. The 26-year-old came off the bench a week earlier in the victory over Fiji and, as a fly-half, led Glasgow to the 2023-24 United Rugby Championship title.

Since moving to Newcastle, Rubiolo has established himself as a regular for Argentina. On Friday night, at the Aviva Stadium, the forward – who covers both the second row and back row – will start at lock for the Pumas against Ireland, having started in the demolition of Italy last weekend.

Pedro Rubiolo speaks with Adam Radwan during the Gallagher Premiership match between Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs
Gloucester and Perpignan were also interested in signing Pedro Rubiolo - Getty Images/Ed Sykes

Rubiolo has 18 caps for Argentina and featured in both of his country’s losses to England at last year’s World Cup. It is understood that both Gloucester and Perpignan were beaten by their West Country rivals to the Argentine’s signature.

Bristol’s attractive brand of rugby has caught the eye and earned plaudits this season. The Bears currently sit in third in the Premiership table, having won four of their six league games so far this season.