Several Canadians and three Americans will take part in the second round of the British & Irish Cup this weekend for various Greene King IPA Championship sides. The tournament includes the second division of professional rugby in England as well as development sides of Irish and Welsh regional teams.
Leading the way for Canada is Aaron Carpenter, who captains Cornish Pirates against Nottingham from the no8 position. Carpenter looks to have abandoned the hooker experiment at club level as well. Last week’s skipper Matt Evans gets the week off along with second row Brett Beukeboom.
Tyler Hotson starts in the second row for Doncaster against Jersey, with Jon Phelan on the bench. Justin Blanchet runs out at no6 again for Bedford with James Pritchard on the left wing versus the Ulster Ravens.
Good news for a top American prospect as Tom Bliss gets his first start at scrumhalf for Ealing Trailfinders. They face off against Rotherham Titans, with Kyle Gilmour starting on the flank and sure to give Bliss some attention at the breakdown.
Eagles fans can also watch Thretton Palamo smash it up in the London Welsh midfield against a Cardiff Blues Select side. Richard Thorpe captains Welsh for a second straight week from his flank position. On the Cardiff side of the field Cameron Dolan runs out on the blindside flank as he returns from injury.