Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Americas will have a number of players in action this weekend in Week 11 of the Pro 12. With it being the second round of matches during the holiday season it again sees derby matches being played in exclusivity. As such all six matches will be between teams from the same nation.
Kicking-off action on New Years Day at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea will be the Ospreys who host the Newport Gwent Dragons. Taking his place on the right wing will be Jeff Hassler and the team will be looking for his scoring abilities to prosper so to improve on the team’s lowly league position of 8th.
Despite winning last weekend the Cardiff Blues are all off the pace, occupying 9th position. They play at home against the leaders Scarlets who have named DTH van der Merwe to start on the left wing. Unfortunately for Eagles supporters neither Blaine Scully nor Cam Dolan will play for the Blues.
Taking place at the same time will be Leinster vs Connacht in Dublin and good news for Eagles supporters is that AJ MacGinty will feature. The USA’s World Cup fly half has been named on the bench for the battle of Ireland’s east vs west.
The two remaining Irish provinces will face-off on Saturday with Ulster hosting Munster in Belfast. The USA eligible Callum Black has been named as a replacement prop for Ulster while Argentina and Uruguay are both to have players featuring for the visitors. Lucas González Amorosino will start on the left wing while Mario Sagario has been named as Munster’s reserve tighthead prop.
The Scottish derby between Glasgow and Edinburgh will, for the second week running, be played at Murrayfield. The decision was made after Scotstaun was deemed unplayable. With this not being the first time this season the Glasgow Warriors must now seek a new permanent home. Starting for Glasgow will be Greg Peterson who will play in his Eagles position of second-row.
Lastly, on Sunday Benetton Treviso will look for a first win of the season when hosting Zebre who snatched a late win last weekend in the reverse fixture. Toronto’s Robert Barbieri will start for the home side while Mendoza’s Gonzalo Garcia will do so for the visitors. Both are capped by Italy. Former Puma Guillermo Roan will act as a replacement prop for Zebre while Bruno Postiglioni continues to be sidelined through injury.
