The Western Force is excited to confirm the addition of Argentine hooker Leonel Oviedo to the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific squad on an injury cover contract.
Oviedo arrived in Perth last week and has already commenced training with his new team-mates, including countrymen Franco Molina and Agustin Moyano.
The 27-year-old front-rower joins from Dogos XV Cordoba, the Argentine club also previously home to Molina and Moyano. Oviedo scored seven tries in 16 appearances for Dogos in the 2025 Super Rugby Americas season as they finished runners-up.
Meet the Force players at the Club's Fan Day at Force HQ on Saturday 31 January
Oviedo is uncapped at international level but trained with Felipe Contepomi’s Los Pumas squad in 2024 and played for the Argentina XV in two games last November against Bristol and Munster.
The hooker has previous overseas experience with in Uruguay with Penarol (2023-2024) plus France for Ceret (Federale 1, 2021-2022), Carqueiranne-Hyeres (Nationale, 2022) and Provence Rugby (Pro D2, 2022 and 2023).
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “We’ve been on the hunt for another hooker to add to our depth in that critical position.
“Prior to reaching out to Felipe, we canvassed Australian teams and agents but couldn’t get someone who was SRP ready. It’s not a position you want to put someone who is not quite ready yet.
“Leo is ready, firing and more importantly fits our team and the culture we are building. We are lucky we have been able to entice a lot of Australian players back from overseas so we are well inside the Rugby Australia rules for foreign players.
“He brings a very big strong presence at hooker. At 118 kilograms, that’ll help stabilise the middle of our scrum.
“With Nic Dolly coming back from injury, this provides a bit of breathing space for him to come back fully fit and ready.
“It’ll also increase our training intensity come set-piece time and contact zone which will help all of our players to continue grow. He’s a really good addition for us.”
Oviedo said he was excited to join the Club and link up with his Argentine compatriots.
“I’m happy to be here to join the Force,” he said. “I’m excited to contribute with the team.
“Perth is a great place and I’m excited to play here and alongside Agustin and Franco too.”
Leonel Oviedo
DOB: 16/2/1998
Height: 186cm
Position: Hooker
International career history
Argentina XV (2 caps, 2025- )
Career history
Dogos XV Cordoba (2024-2025)
Penarol (2023-2024)
Provence Rugby (2022 & 2023)
Carqueiranne-Hyeres (2022 & 2023)
Ceret Sportif (2021-2022)
Cordoba Athletic Club (2020-2021)
Dogos XV (2019-2020)
Jaguares XV (2018-2019)
