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Player

Francisco Leonelli

Posted by Assistant Editor | One comment | Edit
Francisco Leonelli
Frank
Position
Full back
Weight
15 st
Height
6 ft 2 in
DoB
3rd May 1978
Age
46
Club
Statistics 2006/2007
Games
8
Started
8
Tries
2
Penalties
Conversions
Drop Goals
1
Team and League Statistics
Argentinian Francisco joined the Warriors in 2006 from rival pro-team Edinburgh Rugby.

The powerful runner is equally at home at fullback or on the wing.

As a youngster, Francisco had only one thing on his sporting mind and that was to follow in the studmarks of the likes of Maradona and other soccer heroes. He said: "Like most Argentinian youngsters I loved to kick a football - and still do."

But his sporting perspective suddenly changed.

He added: "At the outset I really didn't want to know about rugby. Then I started playing and things just began to happen for me.

"As I grew to know more about the game I was chosen for the Pumas under-19s and under-21s, which is when I began to think even more doors might be capable of opening for me.

"Even when I landed a debut for the national side against Uruguay and lasted only a couple of minutes before being injured, I was able to get back and join the sevens squad, which took me to virtually every corner of the rugby world.

"In Argentina there are no professional clubs - the situation is complicated.

"You take your pick between whether the concept of professionalism is unsustainable or whether it is a case that some diehards do not want it.

"What I do know is that, when Edinburgh's offer came in, I was ready to test myself on a full-time basis. To experience another country is a wonderful opportunity and I wanted to make the most of that chance."

To that end Francisco suspended his law studies with a year of his course remaining and took off for Europe.

Comments
Posted by laura leonelli on April 20, 2007 05:17 AM | Reply to this comment

His my idol. I know, he´s my brother, but I seriously admire him. He´s a wonderful person; his family, wife and friends love him very much... he´s intelligent... and a wonderful player!!! what else would you want?

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