World-Class Argentine Coach Mario Ledesma Joins Dallas Jackals Coaching Staff

Dallas Jackals Rugby has announced Mario Ledesma has joined the Coaching Staff as Assistant Coach and Consultant. Ledesma joins the staff with over three decades of coaching and playing internationally at the highest levels. 

Ledesma’s coaching career is highlighted by his time with two prominent National Teams. Joining the Argentina Pumas in 2018 as Head Coach, he took the side to the 2019 World Cup test matches followed by the 2020 Rugby Championship. Formerly, Ledesma was Forwards Coach for Australia’s National team where he reshaped the Wallabies set-piece ahead of advancing to the 2015 World Cup. 

“It’s a very exciting time to be joining the Dallas Jackals,” said Ledesma. “I’m proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to helping develop an identity of a successful culture along with habits and discipline of a high performance environment with an underlying growth mindset.”

In 2011, Ledesma started his coaching career in France’s top league, Top 14, as Forwards Coach for Stade Français and later Montpellier. Before joining Australia’s Wallabies, he consulted on NSW Waratahs scrum making considerable strides quickly. 

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ledesma first represented his country in 1992 on the U19 squad. He went on to be a key piece of Argentina’s mens side from 1996 to 2011 making 84 appearances including starting every match of their 1999 World Cup campaign. Concurrent with competing for the Pumas, Ledesma played for Clermont Auvergne making 179 appearances over six seasons winning the 2007 European Challenge Cup and the 2010 Top 14 Championship.

“We are so excited to have a highly respected and world-class coach such as Mario joining us,” said Santi Sodini, Jackals GM. “Mario brings a wealth of knowledge and success as a player and as a coach and will surely positively affect all aspects of the team.” 

Ledesma joins Jackals Head Coach Agustin Cavalieri and GM Santi Sodini in shaping and leading the squad for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.