Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Against the backdrop of the Six Nations the French domestic league, the Top 14 will roll on this weekend with Week 16 taking place. Involved are to be a number of players from the Americas.
Getting the round underway will be title favorites Toulon who host the well placed Brive. Puma Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is to feature for the home side as a replacement back-rower.
At home in Paris Stade Français will take-on the higher placed Grenoble. In order for the defending champions to reach the play-offs home fixtures must be won. The Gonzalo Quesada coached side is missing a number of players to international duty, making the match a true test to the club’s depth.
Involved for the bottom placed Agen this weekend will be the U.S. eligible Dave Ryan. Meanwhile The Argentine-Italian second-rower Leandro Cedaro will start for La Rochelle. The match is one vital to the campaigns of both clubs.
Missing for Pau this weekend is Cam Pierce who is in Rosario preparing to start against the Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship. Two South Americans will, nonetheless, feature. Juan Pablo Orlandi will start at tighthead prop while Santiago Fernández will cover the fly half and mid-field positions from the bench. The visitors will have a Puma too, with Francisco Gomez Kodela playing tighthead.
Top 14 leaders Racing 92 will play host to Castres Olympique in the sixth and final Saturday match. Starting for the home side in the second-row will be Manuel Carizza while Juan Imhoff will play on the right wing. Starting for Castres opposite Carizza will be Uruguayan Rodrigo Capó Ortega who is also to captain the team. Benjamín Urdapilleta will start at fly half.
Completing Week 16 will be Toulouse vs Montpellier on Sunday. The lineups for this fixture will be named on Saturday.
