Argentina scrum-half Simón Benítez Cruz joined Newcastle in the summer of 2025.

Breaking through with the CUBA club in Buenos Aires, he shone for Pampas and Tarucas in the Super Rugby Americas competition, winning the tournament’s MVP award in 2025.

The sniping half-back made his test debut in Argentina’s historic win over the British & Irish Lions in June 2025, playing both home tests against England that summer before starting against Uruguay.