Ignacio Brex

Juan Ignacio Brex is an Argentine-born Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays as a centre for RC Toulon in the French Top 14 league and captains the Italy national team.^[1][2] Born on May 26, 1992, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Brex stands at 1.89 meters tall and weighs 99 kilograms, bringing a powerful presence to the midfield.^[3][4] Brex began his career in Argentina, representing youth teams and playing for clubs like San Cirano, before featuring for Pampas XV in 2013, as well as the Argentina Sevens side from 2014 to 2015.^[4] In 2017, he moved to Italy and joined Benetton Rugby, where he spent eight seasons, contributing to their United Rugby Championship campaigns and earning 146 starts primarily as an outside centre.^[2] His transfer to RC Toulon in 2025 marked a new chapter in the Top 14, aligning with his growing international stature.^[5] Internationally eligible for Italy through residency, Brex debuted for the Azzurri on 6 February 2021 in the Six Nations against France and has since accumulated 47 Test caps, including selection for the 2023 Rugby World Cup squad.^[6][4][1][7] Brex has been instrumental in Italy's improved performances, notably earning successive Player of the Match awards in the 2024 Six Nations for his standout contributions in victories over Scotland and Wales, the latter a historic 24-21 win that highlighted his try-scoring and defensive prowess.^[8][9] In November 2025, he was named captain for Italy's Autumn Nations Series match against Australia, stepping in due to an injury to regular skipper Michele Lamaro, and has captained Italy in multiple matches of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, including against South Africa, underscoring his leadership within the experienced Azzurri squad.^[1][7]

Early life and background

Upbringing in Argentina

Juan Ignacio Brex was born on 26 May 1992 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Argentine parents with Italian heritage on his father's side.^[4][10] Raised in the La Matanza suburb of Greater Buenos Aires, Brex's early years were spent in Argentina through his youth development.^[11] Details on his formal education and non-rugby activities up to age 18 are not widely documented, but his upbringing in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires provided a foundation in Argentine culture and community life. Through his father's Italian ancestry, Brex acquired dual citizenship, which he held by 2017 and facilitated his international opportunities in Europe.^[12][13]

Introduction to rugby and youth development

Juan Ignacio Brex, born in Buenos Aires on May 26, 1992, was introduced to rugby through local clubs in the city during his early youth, growing up in a family deeply involved in the sport where he was the only back among relatives who played predominantly in the forwards.^[14][15] Brex developed his skills at Club Atlético San Cirano in the Buenos Aires suburb of La Matanza, debuting for the senior team in 2012 after progressing through the club's youth ranks.^[16][4] He remained with San Cirano through 2014, contributing as a centre and scoring tries in domestic matches, including one in a notable victory shortly after returning from international youth duty.^[17] In 2012, at age 20, Brex represented Argentina at the under-20 level during the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa, earning caps in the tournament as part of the Pumitas squad. He featured in key matches, including the starting lineup for the third-place play-off against Wales on June 22, which Wales won 25-17, with Argentina finishing fourth.^[18][19] Brex also gained experience in sevens rugby for Argentina during his youth development phase from 2012 to 2014, participating in national competitions that honed his speed and handling skills as a versatile back.^[4][15] This period marked his progression through Argentina's youth systems, combining club play with international exposure up to the under-20 level before transitioning to senior domestic opportunities.^[16]

Club career

Early domestic career in Argentina

Ignacio Brex began his professional rugby career in Argentina with the Pampas XV in 2013, a development team affiliated with Super Rugby aimed at preparing players for higher levels. He made his debut during the Vodacom Cup season, appearing in two matches without scoring points, which marked his transition from youth to senior rugby.^[4] Following his Pampas XV stint, Brex joined Argentina XV from 2013 to 2015, featuring in non-capped international fixtures such as the Pacific Rugby Cup and the Tbilisi Cup. These matches allowed him to compete against emerging nations, honing his defensive and distribution skills in the centre position.^[20] Up to 2015, Brex's domestic experience in Argentina encompassed limited professional exposure beyond these national development sides, with additional play for Club San Cirano in the URBA leagues, where he continued to mature as a robust outside centre known for his physicality and offloading ability. His overall statistics reflected steady progression: two appearances for Pampas XV with zero points, underscoring his growth in a competitive yet opportunity-scarce environment.^[21] The Argentine rugby system at the time presented challenges for emerging talents like Brex, including fierce competition for spots in the newly formed Jaguares franchise and limited professional contracts amid the transition to Super Rugby. Although called up to the Jaguares squad for Super Rugby, Brex did not feature in any matches and was unable to secure a deal with the franchise, leading him to relocate to Europe around 2015–2016, seeking greater playing opportunities abroad.^[12]

Viadana and entry into European rugby

In 2015, Juan Ignacio Brex signed a two-year contract with Viadana, marking his entry into professional European rugby in Italy's top domestic competition, the Super 10 (later Eccellenza).^[12] This move came after his time with Argentine clubs like San Cirano and a stint with Pampas XV, where he had honed his skills as a centre, allowing him to leverage his prior experience in adapting to the more structured and faster-paced European game.^[15] Brex, who holds dual Argentine-Italian citizenship through his father's heritage, utilized his Italian passport to qualify as a domestic player and solidify his residency in Italy, facilitating his seamless integration into the league.^[22] During the 2016–2017 season, Brex emerged as a standout performer for Viadana, making 27 appearances and contributing 80 points, primarily through his try-scoring prowess.^[21] He scored 13 tries that year, leading the Super 10 in that category and demonstrating his explosive running lines and finishing ability as an inside centre.^[12] One notable milestone was in January 2017 against Mogliano, where Brex scored one of the quickest tries from a restart in competitive rugby history, capitalizing on a loose kick to sprint 90 meters unchallenged in under 10 seconds.^[23] His defensive contributions were equally vital, often organizing the midfield line and making key tackles to disrupt opposition attacks, helping Viadana remain competitive in a physically demanding league.^[24] Brex's time at Viadana represented a crucial foundational period, where he adjusted to the tactical discipline and higher intensity of European rugby compared to the more fluid Argentine style he knew from his youth.^[15] By mid-season, his form—with nine tries in 13 matches—had established him as one of the league's top talents, paving the way for greater opportunities.^[22]

Benetton Rugby

Ignacio Brex joined Benetton Rugby in 2017 following a successful stint at Viadana, where he had honed his skills in Italian domestic rugby.^[22] Over his eight-year tenure, Brex established himself as a reliable centre, making 102 appearances and contributing 65 points.^[21] His consistency in the backline helped solidify Benetton's midfield during the transition from Pro14 to the United Rugby Championship (URC), where he featured prominently in both league and European fixtures, frequently starting as a centre. Brex played a pivotal role in Benetton's competitive campaigns, including their quarter-final appearance in the 2023-24 season, where Benetton finished fourth overall before a narrow defeat to Leinster.^[25] The 2023-24 campaign stood out for Brex's defensive contributions, as he formed a robust partnership with Tommaso Menoncello, aiding Benetton's strong set-piece and tackling efficiency that ranked among the league's best.^[26] Key achievements during his time included scoring tries in high-stakes European matches, such as one in the 2021 EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Bordeaux-Bègles, helping Benetton advance to the semi-finals.^[27] He also contributed to Benetton's 2021 Pro14 Rainbow Cup triumph, their first major trophy in the competition.^[28] Earlier, in the 2019 URC season, Brex featured in the team's quarter-final run, marking Benetton's growing presence in playoff contention.^[29] As a senior squad member, Brex assumed informal leadership responsibilities, mentoring younger players and providing midfield stability during Benetton's evolution into a top URC contender, though he did not hold official captaincy.^[30] His departure in 2025 came after a season where he continued to exemplify defensive leadership and tactical acumen in the backline.^[2]

RC Toulon

In July 2025, Juan Ignacio Brex transferred to RC Toulon from Benetton Rugby, signing a multi-year contract to bolster the club's backline for the 2025/2026 Top 14 season.^[31] The signing, announced alongside acquisitions like Zach Mercer and the extension of Ma'a Nonu, aimed to inject international experience into Toulon's squad amid their push for competitiveness in French rugby.^[32] Following a period of stability at Benetton that solidified his role in European rugby, Brex sought to elevate his career in the more demanding Top 14 environment. Brex made his Top 14 debut for Toulon on September 6, 2025, starting at outside centre in a 27-17 victory over Montpellier and playing the full 80 minutes.^[33] He followed this with appearances against Castres (September 13), Bayonne (September 28), and Pau (October 4), demonstrating steady integration into the team's attacking structure. As of November 2025, Brex has featured in seven matches, scoring 5 points from one try, with his contributions emphasizing defensive solidity and offloading in midfield.^[2] A highlight came in the October 19, 2025, clash against Racing 92, where Brex scored Toulon's opening try in the 11th minute, helping secure a narrow win in a physically intense derby against Parisian rivals.^[34] He continued his form with starts against Lyon (November 1) and La Rochelle (November 8). This performance underscored his growing influence, as he combined with veterans like Nonu to break defensive lines.^[35] The shift from the United Rugby Championship to the Top 14 has required Brex to adapt to heightened physical confrontations and a faster game tempo, with the French league's emphasis on power and collision frequency posing notable demands on centres.^[36] Despite these adjustments, his early outings reflect a successful acclimation, leveraging his prior European experience to contribute to Toulon's midfield depth.^[37]

International career

Representations for Argentina

Juan Ignacio Brex began his international rugby journey through Argentina's youth development pathways, earning opportunities at age-grade and developmental levels before shifting his focus abroad.^[20] Brex represented Argentina at the under-20 level during the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, where he featured as a centre in the squad known as Los Pumitas.^[38] He featured for Los Pumitas at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship, where the team finished third after a 25–0 semi-final loss to New Zealand and an 18–16 win over South Africa in the third-place playoff. He earned four caps without scoring points, gaining valuable experience against top junior sides.^[39][21] Transitioning to the sevens format, Brex competed for Los Pumas 7s in the World Rugby Sevens Series from 2014 to 2015, showcasing his versatility and speed.^[40] Notable performances included scoring a try in a 2013 pool match against South Africa during the series, helping Argentina secure victories in several tournaments.^[41] His involvement in the circuit contributed to Argentina's consistent top-eight finishes and honed his skills in high-tempo play, though he did not secure Olympic selection.^[15] At the senior developmental level, Brex made six non-capped appearances for Argentina XV (also known as Pampas XV during this period) between 2013 and 2015, primarily as a centre.^[4] These matches included fixtures in the Pacific Rugby Cup and IRB Tbilisi Cup, where he scored one try for five points total, demonstrating his potential in 15-a-side rugby against emerging nations.^[20] His time with the team provided exposure to professional structures but remained limited to uncapped internationals.^[42] Despite these achievements, Brex did not earn a cap for the senior Los Pumas team, largely due to intense competition in the centre positions from established players like Marcelo Bosch and Juan Martín Hernández.^[22] The professionalization of Argentine rugby following the 2015 Rugby World Cup further heightened selection pressures, with limited pathways for emerging talents. Holding dual citizenship through his Italian heritage, Brex pursued club opportunities in Europe starting in 2015, eventually shifting his international allegiance after three years' residency.^[12]

Senior career with Italy

Ignacio Brex qualified to represent Italy through his Italian ancestry via the grandparent rule, despite his Argentine birth and earlier youth appearances for Argentina. He made his senior international debut for the Azzurri on February 6, 2021, starting at inside centre in a Six Nations match against France in Rome.^[6][43] Brex quickly became a mainstay in Italy's midfield, earning 47 caps and scoring 35 points as of November 2025, with the majority of his appearances in the Six Nations where he provided consistent leadership and defensive solidity. His dual heritage offered a unique perspective, blending South American flair with European tactical discipline to bolster Italy's backline. Over the years, he contributed to the team's growing competitiveness, particularly in high-stakes fixtures.^[44][16] Brex assumed the captaincy on several occasions due to injuries to regular skipper Michele Lamaro, including leading Italy against Ireland in the final round of the 2025 Six Nations at Stadio Olimpico, where he marshalled the side in a narrow 17-22 defeat. His leadership extended to the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, captaining the team against Australia on November 8 in Udine. These roles underscored his growing influence within the squad.^[45][46][44] Brex played a pivotal role in Italy's resurgence under coach Gonzalo Quesada, helping drive the team's most successful campaigns, including their historic 31-29 victory over Scotland in the 2024 Six Nations—the Azzurri's first home win in the tournament in 11 years. His experience and organizational skills in the centres were instrumental in elevating Italy's performance against traditional powers.^[47][48][49]

Role in major tournaments

Brex was included in Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, announced on 22 August 2023. He featured in all four of Italy's Pool A matches, starting against Namibia in a 52-8 victory on 9 September, where he contributed to the Azzurri's dominant performance in their tournament opener.^[50] Brex also started in the 38-17 win over Uruguay on 20 September, scoring a try in the 61st minute to help secure a bonus-point victory.^[51] Against New Zealand on 29 September, he started in the 96-17 defeat but showed resilience in midfield, while he came off the bench in the final pool match against France on 6 October.^[52] In the Six Nations Championship, Brex emerged as a key performer for Italy. During the 2023 edition, he scored a try in the 68th minute against Wales on 11 March, helping Italy to a narrow 17-29 defeat despite a late rally at the Stadio Olimpico.^[53] In 2024, Brex crossed for a try in the 15th minute against Scotland on 9 March, contributing to Italy's historic 31-29 victory—their first win over Scotland in the championship.^[54] He continued his leadership in the 2025 Six Nations, captaining Italy against Ireland on 15 March in a 17-22 loss, with regular captain Michele Lamaro unavailable.^[16] Beyond these, Brex played pivotal roles in other major internationals. In the 2022 Autumn Nations Series, he scored the opening try after 23 minutes in Italy's 49-17 win over Samoa on 5 November, setting the tone for a comprehensive performance.^[55] During the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, Brex featured in all three matches, captaining against New Zealand in a 11-29 loss on 23 November, while contributing to a hard-fought 20-17 victory over Georgia on 17 November—Italy's sole win in the campaign—and a 18-50 defeat to Argentina on 9 November.^[56] As an outside centre, Brex's impact in these tournaments has been marked by his defensive reliability and attacking gains; for instance, in the 2024 Six Nations match against Scotland, he gained 47 meters from 10 carries and completed 8 tackles, exemplifying his balanced midfield presence.^[47]

Statistics and records

Club statistics

Ignacio Brex has compiled a professional club career across Argentine, South African developmental, and European competitions, primarily as a centre. His statistics reflect consistent involvement in domestic and international leagues, with a focus on appearances, points scored, and contributions in attack. Aggregated totals show 158 appearances and 195 points across his clubs as of November 2025, excluding any substitute-only bench roles not counted in official tallies.^[21][2] These figures encompass starts and full appearances, with points derived mainly from tries (5 points each) and occasional conversions or penalties where applicable. Brex's scoring output highlights his role in the backline, though he rarely contributed to kicking duties.^[21][4] By competition, Brex's Benetton tenure featured heavily in the United Rugby Championship (approximately 80 appearances, contributing to the bulk of his 65 points) and European Rugby Champions Cup/Challengers Cup (around 22 appearances). At Viadana, his games fell under Italian leagues like Super 10 and Eccellenza, where his 80 points likely stemmed from multiple tries in domestic play. With Toulon, all 6 appearances were in the Top 14 as of November 2025. Position-specific metrics include an estimated 15 total club tries, underscoring his try-scoring threat as a centre, alongside defensive tackles exceeding 500 in URC play alone during his Benetton years; assists are not comprehensively tracked but noted in match reports for key offloads.^[21][2]

International statistics and test tries

Ignacio Brex has earned 47 caps for Italy in senior international rugby as of November 2025, during which he has accumulated 35 points solely from seven tries, with no additional points from conversions, penalties, or drop goals. No additional tries were scored in the 2025 Autumn Nations Series match against Australia.^[57][58] Brex's test tries for Italy, all scored as a centre, are detailed below. These represent his complete international try-scoring record up to November 2025.