PARIS — Two marquee front-row players from the Americas have finalized long-term contract extensions to remain in the French Top 14, providing stability for their respective clubs through the 2026-2027 season. USA Eagles loosehead prop Jack Iscaro has committed to Stade Français, while Argentina Pumas tighthead Justo Piccardo has extended his tenure with Stade Rochelais.
The extension for Iscaro marks a significant transition in his professional career. The 28-year-old Maryland native originally joined the Parisian club in September 2025 as a “medical joker”—a short-term injury cover signing—following the conclusion of the Major League Rugby season with Old Glory DC. His performance during the initial months of the 2025-2026 campaign prompted the club to offer a permanent three-year agreement
Under the terms of the new deal, Iscaro is now under contract with Stade Français until June 2027. The move solidifies his position as a primary representative of United States rugby in the European top flight. Since debuting for the USA Eagles in 2022, Iscaro has earned 11 caps and has established himself as a cornerstone of the national team’s scrum. His retention by one of France’s most storied clubs ensures he will continue to compete at the sport’s highest club level in the lead-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
In La Rochelle, Justo Piccardo has also finalized a two-year extension. The Argentine international, known for his versatility in playing both sides of the scrum, has been a fixture for the “Maritimes” since 2021. Sclavi was a member of the squads that secured back-to-back Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023. Like Iscaro, Piccardo’s new contract runs through the 2026-2027 season.
The 31-year-old Piccardo has become an integral part of the Pumas’ national setup, featuring prominently in the 2023 Rugby World Cup where Argentina reached the semi-finals. His extension is viewed as a key retention for La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara, who has prioritized depth and experience in the front row to manage the dual demands of the Top 14 and Champions Cup schedules.
These signings underscore a continuing trend of Tier 2 and emerging Tier 1 talent from the Americas finding long-term homes in the French league system. For the USA Eagles, Iscaro’s presence in a starting Top 14 rotation provides the national program with a high-performance blueprint for its domestic-based players.
Both players are expected to remain with their clubs through the remainder of the current season as Stade Français and La Rochelle compete for playoff positioning in the Top 14 table.
