Argentina prop Rodrigo Martinez is proving that success can come from both the courtroom and the rugby pitch. The 27-year-old loose-head recently completed a six-year law degree while simultaneously making his mark with the Dragons in the Challenge Cup.
Martinez was instrumental in the Dragons' stunning victory over Stade Francais in Paris, securing a quarter-final spot against Zebre this Saturday. This achievement caps a remarkable season for the Argentine international, who has balanced 15 appearances for the region with becoming a first-time parent and earning his law qualification.
"I'm now a qualified lawyer after almost six years," Martinez revealed. "It was online and I tried to do at least one hour a day and use my days off—I just built the habit."
The prop's son, Otto, was born in Argentina in September, just ten days before Martinez returned to Wales for the season's start. "I missed his first two months and that was tough," he admitted, "but now they are over here. I am struggling a bit with the sleep but everything else is unbelievable."
Martinez kept focused during the separation by immersing himself in rugby and his studies. "I went to the books and focused on that and rugby so I didn't think too much about how I was missing them," he explained.
While he'll decide later what to do with his legal qualification, Martinez is currently fully committed to rugby. His journey to the Dragons came after unfortunate circumstances in England—first signing with Wasps in 2021 only for the club to enter administration, then joining London Irish before they suffered the same fate without him playing a game.
"Moving to the Dragons has been good," Martinez said. "There have been some tough moments but I love what we are trying to build and develop here. I like the challenge of becoming a better team and a winning team."
The three-times capped Puma faces stiff competition for the starting position from Welsh internationals Wyn Jones and Rhodri Jones, plus promising youngsters Jordan Morris and Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths. "Internal competition is what is making us better," Martinez noted. "Going up against them is class and it's great to see the young guys step up and show what they can do."
Despite Rhys Carre's try-scoring exploits with Wales changing some expectations for loose-head props, Martinez remains clear about his primary responsibility: "For a prop, everything starts at the scrum."