Iñaki Ayarza Saporta (born 7 September 1999) is a Chilean professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Pro D2 club RC Vannes and the Chile national team.[1][2][3][4]

Iñaki Ayarza
Full nameIñaki Ayarza Saporta
Date of birth (1999-09-07) 7 September 1999 (age 25)
Place of birthSantiago, Chile
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight102 kg (225 lb; 16 st 1 lb)
Notable relative(s)Ramón Ayarza (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Current team RC Vannes
Youth career
20??-2018 PWCC
2018-2020 Bayonne
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020-2021 Bayonne 0 (0)
2020Anglet (loan) 2 (0)
2021–2024 Soyaux Angoulême 59 (55)
2024– RC Vannes 0 (0)
Correct as of 29 June 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Chile 18 (20)
Correct as of 10 September 2023

Club career

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Ayarza began his career at PWCC in Santiago, he joined Bayonne espoirs in 2018, he never made his debut for the senior side however did feature for their Sevens side. He spent time on loan at Fédérale 1 side Anglet Olympique.[5]

In 2021 he joined then Nationale side Soyaux Angoulême XV helping them gain promotion to the ProD2.[6][7] He moved to RC Vannes ahead of the 2024-25 season although had interest from Top 14 club Montpellier.[8]

International career

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Ayarza debuted for Chile in 2019 against Paraguay, scoring on debut.[9] He was named in the Chile squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[10] He made his Rugby World Cup debut at the Stadium de Toulouse against Japan, starting at fullback in the 42–12 loss.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Inaki Ayarza Saporta". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  2. ^ "Iñaki AYARZA profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  3. ^ "Player Pool – Chile". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  4. ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "Inaki Ayarza (Chile) | Rugby World Cup 2023". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  5. ^ "Inaki AYARZA SAPORTA - Player statistics - It's rugby". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  6. ^ Rugby News, Americas (2022-05-29). "Chileans Iñaki & Ramón Ayarza and Charente win promotion to Pro D2". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  7. ^ "Inaki AYARZA". SA XV Charente (in French). Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  8. ^ Rugby News, Americas (2024-02-20). "Iñaki Ayarza to join Vannes". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  9. ^ Rugby News, Americas (2019-05-26). "Chile power past Paraguay to claim First Win of 2019". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  10. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023: All You Need to Know About Chile Rugby Union Team". Motivation. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  11. ^ "Coupe du Monde - Match report Japan vs Chile, le 10/09/2023". all.rugby. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
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