Long-time Argentine Coach Willie Blanco Joins Dallas Jackals Coaching Staff

Dallas Jackals Rugby is pleased to announce Guillermo “Willie” Blanco joins the Jackals as Assistant Coach. Blanco brings over a decade of coaching experience from Argentina to the Jackals coaching staff. 

Blanco most recently was Attack & Backs Coach for Rosario Rugby Union’s Select side. He also was named Rosario Sevens Head Coach for the 2016 campaign. 

Blanco formally held several positions with Club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Rosario (GER). His time with GER is highlighted by his role as 1st Team Head Coach where he led the squad to many new heights including two championships and two National Club finals. Blanco also held the following roles with GER: 1st Team Attacks & Backs Coach, Skills Coach and Video Analyst, and Youth Teams Coach. 

“It is a huge privilege to join the Dallas Jackals and have the opportunity to affect such a young team and league,” said Blanco. “I am very grateful to the whole organization for this chance and am so excited to work with Agustin, such an excellent staff and group of players. I also want to thank Gimnasia y Esgrima de Rosario for all these years of rugby as player and coach.”

From Rosario, Argentina, Blanco competed with GER throughout his youth and into adulthood. He represented the 1st Team from 1998 to 2010. He was also selected to Rosario Selects and Rosario Sevens.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Willie to DFW and the Jackals,” said Santi Sodini, Jackals GM. “With Willie’s wide experience across rugby in Argentina, he will bring a unique perspective as we progress through the 2023 season.”

Blanco is fluent in three languages, Spanish, English, and Italian. He is currently completing his World Rugby Level 3 Certification. 

Dallas Jackals are officially taking deposits for 2023 Season Tickets. Head to dallasjackals.com for more info. 

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Lori Barber

214.906.6633

lorib@lux214.com

About Dallas Jackals — 

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby  competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and in 2022 played their inaugural season at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic  talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high performance pathway  in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify  and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch. 

About MLR — 

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league in its fifth season and represents the highest level of  rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018 to 13 teams in 2022,  featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on Fox Sports 1 and Fox  Sports 2, among other national and local market platforms. Select matches are available to stream live in  North America on The Rugby Network, and all matches are available to stream live on The Rugby Network  for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing  together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more  information about MLR, visit www.MajorLeague.Rugby.