A number of Americas players will be in action on Friday as the French Pro D2 approaches the mid-point of the competition. Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and the USA are all represented.
Agustín Figuerola starts things off at scrumhalf for league-leading Lyon against 5th place Colomiers. The former Pumas scrumhalf moved from Oyonnax in the off-season and looks set to make an immediate return to the Top 14.
Tomás Vallejos continues at lock for Aix-en-Provence, who look likely of being relegated after a poor start to the season. Opponents Bayonne are in 2nd place and are gunning for their own return to the Top 14. Benjamín Macome gets the start on the flank while Chilean second row Pablo Huete is a reserve.
Carcassonne have restored Los Teros flyhalf Felipe Berchesi to their starting lineup against Mont-de-Marsan, and have Argentine prop Nahuel Lobo on the bench. Carlos Muzzio wears the same shirt for Stade Montois, while Berchesi’s favorite halfback partner Agustín Ormaechea has been left on the bench.
Four Argentinean players dress for Tarbes against Biarritz. Agustín Costa Repetto is retained at hooker, and is joined in the starting front row by tighthead prop Jerónimo Negrotto. Attacking flyhalf Sebastián Poet returns, but scrumhalf Nicolás Vergallo will have to wait among the reserves. On the other side, Takudzwa Ngwenya remains the main man for Les Biarrots on the right wing.
Dax host Bourgoin with two Pumas in their starting lineup. Martín Chiappesoni is at flanker, and Ignacio Mieres stays the course at flyhalf. Elsewhere former Argentina u19 centre Juan Mangione starts at #13 for Montauban against Narbonne.
The last game of the weekend takes place on Sunday, with Javier Rojas expected to be in Albi’s lineup as they take on Aurillac at the Stade Jean Alric.