Guinness Pro 12 2015-2016 Americas Players

The 2015-2016 Guinness Pro 12 season starts today with three league matches involving Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams. The remaining three opening round matches are to be played tomorrow. In previous years the Celtic-Italian League has been an important part of preparing players from the Americas for international duty. The upcoming season will be no different as eight of the competition’s sides have players from the Americas on their books.

Benetton Treviso
North-Western Italian city side, Benetton Treviso has been home to a number of Pumas over the years with Tomás Vallejos Cinalli having played for the team last season. Rugby World Cup 2007 winger Lucas Borges is another to have been involved in the team previously. For the new season Canada’s Italian international Robert Barbieri is to play for the team after having returned from the Leicester Tigers. Juan Francisco Ymaz, meanwhile is in Treviso’s extended playing squad while Romulo Acosta has moved to play for Petrarca.

Cardiff Blues
Both Lucas González Amorosino and Joaquín Tuculet have left the Welsh region and replacing one of the two outside backs is USA Eagles star winger Blaine Scully. Also arriving is Cam Dolan who does so from the Northampton Saints. His lack of game time for the Aviva Premiership side is not likely to be replicated in Wales.

Connacht
Ireland’s western province continues to be developmental compared to the three others and consequently lacks the same power both on and off the field. Both past and present the team has not been known for having players of note from the Americas. This season one player with a connection to the Western Hemisphere is former Grenoble center Shane O’Leary who is Irish but eligible to represent Canada.

Edinburgh
The capital city Scottish side has said goodbye to Argentine players Tomás Leonardí and Joaquín Domínguez with both now playing their rugby in France. In years gone by others from the Americas have played for Einburgh including Francisco Leonelli, Ulises Gamboa and Canada’s Rugby World Cup 2011 fly half Ander Monro.

Glasgow Warriors
Last season’s champions said goodbye to long-time serving winger DTH van der Merwe. The Canadian is to instead be playing for league rivals the Scarlets. Canadians Connor Braid, Chauncey O’Toole and Taylor Paris have also all previously played for Glasgow but the most noteworthy name is that of Kevin Tkachuk who played 146 games for Glasgow from 2004-2011, more matches than all other non-Scots. This coming season USA Eagle Greg Peterson will play for the club having joined from the Leicester Tigers.

Leinster
Irish province Leinster will nto have players from the Americas this season. The changing policies concerning the restricted number of non-Irish eligibile players have changed the landscape in this regard. The highest point scorer in the history of Leinster Rugby is none other than Argentine Great Felipe Contepomi who won both Pro 12 and European titles with the province. Current Puma Mariano Galarza also spent time with Leinster.

Munster
Southern Ireland’s province is currently without players from the Americas following the departure of hooker Eusebio Guiñazú. The former Puma played in a losing effort in the 2015 Pro 12 Final and has caught the attention of many for his non-involvement in international duty for his country. Another former Munster front-rower is Federico Pucciariello who won the Heineken Cup with the province. The Argentine tighthead prop was capped by Italy.

Newport-Gwent Dragons
Traditionally the weakest of the four Welsh regions, the Newport-Gwent Dragons have not been a success in the professional era with in-fighting within Welsh rugby having been the prime factor. The region has struggled to hold onto top players who tend to move to England and France. No player from the Americas will play for the region this season. World Cup players Mike Petri and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro both previously played for the region.

Ospreys
The biggest success story under the Welsh-regional model has been the Ospreys, a team to have been captained by Canadian Tyler Ardron for some league matches last season. Both Ardron and Jeff Hassler will be playing for the Ospreys again this season as will former USA junior Hanno Dirksen who is eligible to represent Wales and turned dowb playing for the Eagles in Rugby World Cup 2011.

Scarlets
The Western Welsh region, the Scarlets welcome DTH van der Merwe this season from the Glasgow Warriors. He will be following in the footsteps of Canadians Jon Thiel and Jamie Cudmore to have previously played in Llanelli. The USA has also had players of note playing there previously including one of the greatest ever Eagles, Dave Hodges who captained his country at the World Cup in 2003. The 2007 captain, Mike Hercue also played for the Scarlets.

Ulster
The Belfast based side, Ulster, has been home to uncapped USA prop Callum Black since 2011. He may well end his career without playing test match rugby. Scottish international from Tennessee, Tommy Seymour is another to have played for Ulster as has the USA eligible Dave Ryan.

Zebre
In an effort to avoid the wooden spoon Zebre has investment heavily in player recruitment for the new season. Pumas props Emiliano Coria, Bruno Postiglioni and Guillermo Roan are all now contracted to Zebre as is Gonzalo García who will be playing in the World Cup for Italy. Two additional Argentine players capped by Italy, Luciano Orquera and Matías Agüero are no longer involved with the club. Orquera has departed for Massy as has uncapped Argentine Luciano Leibson.