The Western Force are thrilled to confirm the addition of Argentina international lock Franco Molina on a two-year contract to bolster the side's tight-five stocks.
The 27-year-old will join the Force after spending the 2024-25 season with English Premiership Rugby outfit Exeter Chiefs where he also played in the European Champions Cup, totalling 17 games including 12 starts.
Molina has 12 Argentina caps to his name - after debuting for his country in July last year against France - including facing the Wallabies twice in last year’s Rugby Championship.
He was also in the starting Pumas line-up for last month’s 28-24 win over the British and Irish Lions in the 1888 Cup in Dublin.
Prior to his time at Exeter, Cordoba-born Molina experienced plenty of success plying his trade in Super Rugby Americas, reaching the final in four consecutive seasons with three different franchises, including titles with Jaguares XV (2022) and hometown team Dogos XV (2024).
Molina was previously part of the Argentina side that finished third at the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship where he teamed up with former Force players Domingo Miotti and Santiago Medrano.
Force head coach Simon Cron was keen to secure the signature of the powerful second rower who brings ambition and international experience to the forward pack.
He said: “Franco is a big powerful body, with a high work rate. He’s in an age category that we want in that tight five group. He’s an international player, and he really wants to push for World Cup selection.
“He’s very, very driven to be the best he can be. We both agree that Super Rugby and Perth is the place to help him do that.
“One of the big issues for us in 2025 was the ability to manage minutes with Jez (Jeremy Williams) and Darcy (Swain). Continuing to grow depth, and positional strength, for the squad is key at Super Rugby.
“He’ll complement that group that we’ve got in the tight five. He’s a hard worker, explosive, powerful and very fit. It’s an area where we’ve got to keep getting bigger, stronger and better at. Now he’ll join Lopeti Faifua, Darcy and Jez and add a lot to the team.”
Molina said he was excited to join the Force and work alongside Cron and the current crop of players in an emerging side.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be joining the Western Force, a club with such a rich history and passionate fanbase,” Molina said.
“I’m especially excited to work alongside such a talented group of players. After my conversation with Simon Cron I knew this was the place for me.
“I can’t wait to contribute to the team, help the club achieve its goals and be part of something special here.”
Molina will arrive in Perth later this year, following his Argentina commitments, including the 2025 Rugby Championship (TRC) from August to October.
Franco Molina
DOB: 28/8/1997
Place of birth: Cordoba
Height: 196cm
Position: Lock
International career history
Argentina (2024- , 12 caps)
Argentina XV (2018-2021, 19 caps)
Argentina U20s (2016-2017)
Club career history
Exeter Chiefs (2024-2025, 17 caps)
Dogos XV (2023-2024)
Selknam (2022)
Ceibos (2020)
Jaguares XV (2019-2021)
