Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Rodrigo Martinez made his Argentina debut against Australia in 2021
ByChris KirwanBBC Sport Wales- Published50 minutes ago
- 1 Comments
Argentina prop Rodrigo Martinez is fully focused on bending the law at the scrum for Dragons after completing six years of legal studies.
The 27-year-old loose-head was a member of the starting line-up that stunned Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup to earn a quarter-final trip to Zebre on Saturday (20:00 BST).
Victory in Paris was a career highlight in a busy season for Martinez, who has made 15 appearances, become a parent and completed a law degree.
His son, Otto, was born in Argentina in September and 10 days later the prop returned to Wales for the start of the season.
"I missed his first two months and that was tough but now they are over here," said Martinez.
"I am struggling a bit with the sleep but everything else is unbelievable."
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Rodrigo Martinez joined Wasps in 2021
While temporarily separated from his family, Martinez kept his mind occupied with rugby and a degree in law.
"I went to the books and focused on that and rugby so I didn't think too much about how I was missing them," he said.
"I'm now a qualified lawyer after almost six years. It was online and I tried to do at least one hour a day and use my days off, I just built the habit."
Martinez will decide what to do with the degree in years to come but for now he is focused on rugby matters after quietly being an excellent addition to Dragons' squad.
Dragons' shock win keeps Wales in Europe after TMO woe
- Published1 day ago
Revitalised Wales wing Dyer signs new Dragons deal
- Published4 days ago
The three-times capped Argentina international has played in 41 of 62 possible games for the Newport-based region and has made Wales home after misfortune in England.
Martinez was signed by Wasps in 2021 but was out of a job when they went into administration. So he signed for London Irish, only for the Exiles to suffer the same fate before he had played a game.
"Moving to the Dragons has been good, there have been some tough moments but I love what we are trying to build and develop here. I like the challenge of becoming a better team and a winning team," he said.
Martinez competes for starts with Wales internationals Wyn Jones and fit-again Rhodri Jones plus the promising pair of Jordan Morris and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths.
"Internal competition is what is making us better," added the Argentine.
"Going up against them is class and it's great to see the young guys step up and show what they can do."
Rhys Carre's try-scoring exploits with Wales in the Six Nations might have changed expectations for loose-head props but Martinez knows where he must thrive.
"For a prop everything starts at the scrum," said the front-rower, who linked up with the Pumas for a training camp last autumn and played for an Argentina XV against Romania last summer.
"It doesn't matter if you carry the ball and make 30 tackles a game if you can't scrum.
"That is where you make your money and scrums, defence and the breakdown is where I get my confidence. Do that well and attack will come."
After Dragons' scrum went strongly against Stade Francais, Martinez will hope for more of the same in Parma on Saturday.
