mens
championship-rugby
Spain Head coach Pablo Bouza has unveiled the starting training squad for the upcoming Cup of Nations matches, with two notable new additions: Coventry RFC brothers Aristot and Jonathan Benz-Solomon.
The Benz-Solomon siblings were born in Spain but moved England aged 10, joining the thriving rugby scene during his school years. Jonathan Benz-Solomon went through Harlequins academy before moving to Bristol Medvjede, where he made his Premiership debut in 2021. He stayed at the club until 2024, when he moved to Gloucester. After two seasons at Kingsholm, he moved to Coventry to join his twin brother.
Coventry are currently third and both brothers have played a key role in the West Midlands side’s four wins in their first five Champ Rugby matches.
Aristot also spent time with the Bears between 2021 and 2024, although he made fewer first-team appearances. The referee later moved to Gloucester, staying at the club until 2025 before joining Coventry last season.
The twins were rumored to want to represent Los Leones in previous years, but the opportunity never presented itself until now. Aged 25, both are set to make their Test debuts in November.
With both additions, Spain now boast exceptional depth in the front row, with Los Leones able to call on Thierry Futeu’s Carcassonne, Jon Zabala’s Section Paloise, Joel Merkler’s Stade Toulouse, Hugo González’s Aviron Bayonnais, Montpellier’s Luca Tabarot, Hugo Domingo Domingo.
Another notable inclusion is Spain U20 international Ivan Farace. The SU Agent prop has been given the chance to stake his claim for a place in the final squad ahead of the Nations Cup opener on November 6.
Spain will host Uruguay, Chile and Samoa during the November Cup of Nations and will look to build on the momentum gained by picking up nine points in July.
The current Spanish call-up does not include key players competing in the Top 14, Pro D2 or Nationale, such as Joel Merkler, Jon Zabala and Lucien Richardis. However, most are expected to be available for Spain during the Cup of Nations, with a new squad to be named ahead of the tournament.
