La Rochelle sign young prop Gael Galván from Argentina

La Rochelle have signed Gael Galván from Argentina for the 2025-2026 season. The move sees an up-and-coming Argentine player now securing his playing future in the Top 14. The uncapped Galván plays tight head prop.

CAREER – GAEL GALVÁN

The 20-year-old Gael Galván began playing rugby aged 13 at Lomas in Buenos Aires. He did so due to his mother wanting him to participate in a sport. He met a player from the Pucará club and went to a try out.

Galván developed at Pucará before being identified as a player of potential. He subsequently went through Argentina’s High Performance system. Like Rapetti, Galván joined Los Pampas in Super Rugby Americas as a teenager. Both were involved in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.

Pucará has produced past and present test players. Examples of Pumas from the club include Gustavo Jorge, Rimas Álvarez Kairelis, Lucas Borges, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Manuel Montero, Lucas Mensa and Bautista Delguy.

Galván is presently involved in the World Rugby u20 Championship. He was a replacement for Los Pumitas in Sunday’s win over Wales. He replaced Tomás Rapetti who has also garnered attention in France and has secured his playing future for giants, Toulouse.

Both Rapetti and Galván are big players. Rapetti is 1.90m tall and weighs 125kg. Galván is 1.91m tall and weighs 135kg. The two men are arguably well-placed to push for test selection. Their moves to the Top 14 will put the spot light on both of them this coming season.

STADE ROCHELAIS PUMAS

Galván will join La Rochelle after the 2025 World Rugby u20 Championship in Italy. He will join fellow Argentine tight head Joel Sclavi at the club. Sclavi is established as Argentina’s first-choice player in the position. He started in the win over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, Ireland in June.

Others Argentines who have played for La Rochelle previously include hooker Facundo Bosch, tight head prop Ramiro Herrera, second-rower Germán Llanes, and fly half Federico Todeschini. Sclavi and Bosch both won European Champions Cup titles with La Rochelle.