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A number of Americas players are to be in action this weekend in Challenge Cup Week 6. The final round of the Challenge Cup will see test match players from Argentina and the USA taking to the field.
The round got underway on Thursday evening with the Sale Sharks hammering the Newport Gwent Dragons 38-5 to win Pool 2. The third and fourth placed sides, Castres and Pau will meet in the pool’s remaining fixture this evening. Back at fly half for Castres is former Puma Benjamin Urdapilleta. He is to make his first start of 2016. World Cup Puma Juan Pablo Orlandi will be a replacement prop for Pau.
Also in action today will be Leandro Cedaro. The one-time capped Italian international will start in the engine room for La Rochelle who host the Worcester Warriors. Despite being overlooked by Italy Cedaro is a regular for the Top 14 side. He turned down selection for Argentina, the country he was born and raised in. A win for his club will result in Worcester finishing bottom of the pool.
Another Argentine-Italian, Pablo Canavosio will start today, doing so for Calvisano who play away to the Cardiff Blues. The Welsh region will also have a player from the Americas with USA Eagles forward Cam Dolan starting on the side of the scrum.
Ireland’s only team in the competition, Connacht will host Ensei-STM in a first ever professional game between and Irish and an Russian team in the country. The USA’s leading fly half, AJ MacGinty will start in the 10 jersey for the home side. The two remaining Pool a sides will also play on Saturday with Newcastle hosting Brive and Juan Pablo Socino starting.
With a host of Italian internationals Zebre will host Pool 2 winners Gloucester. All three front-row replacements are from Argentina – Emiliano Coria, Bruno Postiglioni and Guillermo Roan. World Cup lock Mariano Galarza will start for the visitors.
Pool 5 leaders Grenoble will play host to Edinburgh at the Stade des Alpes with the winner topping the group. There are to be no prizes, however, for Agen or London Irish who meet in France’s south-west in the pool’s remaining fixture. The USA eligible Dave Ryan will feature as a replacement prop.
