Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Six Nations will be capturing most of the spotlight in Europe this weekend. Most, that is, but not all. The Top 14 will be rolling-on with week 18 seeing a host of matches involving players from the Americas.
Kicking-off the round will be today’s only fixture with Toulouse playing host to Bordeaux. The match-up is very much as case of the past meets the future as the former giants of Toulouse are to face a team improving at a great pace and putting together a strong roster. Former Pumas vice-captain Patricio Albacete will start for Toulouse while Francisco Gomez Kodela will play tighthead for Bordeaux.
In the first of five Saturday fixtures the Gonzalo Quesada coached Stade Français is in need of competition points against Racing 92. The Parisian derby will feature Argentina’s top try scorer from Rugby World Cup 2015, Juan Imhoff. The Rosario flier will play left wing.
Imhoff is one player who has been suggested as remaining in contention for international duty. The UAR has been clear in stating that players based in Europe will not be considered though sources have indicated that certain players are not off-limits. The much younger Patricio Fernández is one who will only be eligible when he completed his contract in France. Fernández will play on the bench for Clermont who host Brive.
in a match with a lot on the line the 9th placed La Rochelle will play host to the 11th placed Pau. Both are in need of points to give themselves the opportunity of reaching the barrage zone. Involved for the home side will be Leandro Cedaro. The Italian capped Argentine second-rower has been a regular but has been overlooked for international duty. He will play opposite Cam Pierce who has returned from international duty with Canada in the Americas Rugby Championship. Former Puma Santiago Fernández will play fly half.
The 2013 champions Castres will be aiming to complete a bonus point home victory when they host the 12th placed Agen. Captaining the side from the second-row will be Rodrigo Capó Ortega. The veteran Uruguayan forward of Rugby World Cup 2003 will be joined by former Puma Benjamin Urdapilleta who will play fly half. Starting for Agen will be the U.S. eligible Dave Ryan at tighthead prop.
Rugby’s strongest club, Toulon will play host to Grenoble in the final Saturday fixture. The club enters the match in 3rd position though it could be top of the table by the end of the round. Former Pumas captain Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will feature as a replacement back-rower.
Although France will be playing against Scotland on Sunday there will still be a Top 14 match that day. Bottom placed Oyonnax will host Montpellier, a team missing fewer players to international duty than in previous years. Teams for the fixture will be announced on Saturday.
