VPC Andorra Launches New Era Under Lugones with Youth-Veteran Squad

VPC Andorra has begun a new era under head coach Santi Lugones, resuming training at the Estadi Nacional with a squad blending youth and experience following significant roster changes.

The team started preseason yesterday with players from both the first and second squads. Lugones, familiar with much of the group from his time leading the reserves, described the phase as a fresh start without starting from scratch. After last season's failure to secure promotion, the club faces reduced pressure but retains competitive drive. Six notable departures include housegrown leader Adrià Calvo, long-serving forward Cristian Abarca after five campaigns, Marcos Soraire, and Mateo Macchi. Others leaving are South Africans Luvo Bazi to Gernika and Kgoposto Mpho-Entie to KG Matlena, with Pep Arasanz sidelined by injury and Gastón González due back in November from Argentina.

The core remains intact, with renewals confirmed for centres Ian Granyena and Tomás Pendito, wings Xema Gómez, Erik Fraissinet and Marc Pujol, and forwards Adrià Casals, Xavi Ferret and Fede Aguiar. Lugones anticipates returns from seven or eight homegrown players, some easing in via the second team, plus new additions including a French player based in Andorra. Forward Adrià Casals highlighted group unity: the remaining players share confidence as a family and will reform the unit together, even if it takes time.

Rebuilding centres on integrating promising juniors with veterans to guide them. "The youngsters coming up are very interesting and will play tomorrow; the elders must lead so they can take the reins," Lugones said. Casals, part of a cohort together for over 15 years since rugby school, echoed the need to rebuild cohesion and regain instincts, without fixed obligations this term.

The club plans an in-country preseason using internal matches, avoiding friendlies amid a packed schedule. Lugones targets a top-three finish in the opening phase for Elite promotion playoffs, as last year. "We must compete in every game," he stated, favouring disciplined defence and straightforward attacks. The young average age—with a seasoned core—eases external demands, especially in the second row after multiple exits, though the backline stays robust.

Technical staff includes physical trainer Carles Calleja, backs coach Stefano Giantorno, and second-team leads Fabián Tonino and Gerard Soteras. VPC opens against Toro de Palma de Mallorca, now featuring ex-player Macchi.