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This Saturday and Sunday will see another full round of play in France’s elite division. Spread over Saturday and Sunday there are to be a host of Americas Players in the Top 14 this weekend, which is week 19 of the 26 week league competition.
Kicking-off week 19 will be a potential preview of the Top 14 Final as Racing 92 play host to Toulon. Either side could also be the European Champions Cup winner this season. They are to meet in Paris in a Quarter Final. Saturday’s match will see a strong home side facing a depleted Toulon.
Starting on the right wing for Racing 92 will be Juan Imhoff while Manuel Carizza will cover second-row from the bench. Veteran Argentine-Italian prop, Martín Castrogiovanni will also cover from the reserves. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is among the rested Toulon stars while Samu Manoa is yet to return from injury.
The mid-table Brive play host to Castres in the second match of the day. With an eye to winning on the road Castres have named a strong lineup which includes Uruguay’s Rodrigo Capó Ortega in the second-row and former Puma Benjamin Urdapilleta pulling the strings at fly half. Named on the bench is tighthead prop Lucas Martínez, a player potentially wanted back home for Los Jaguares.
Two much improved teams this season sees 10th hosts 8th with Grenoble looking for a home win over La Rochelle. Both have the means of rising to the play-offs zone in time for barrage. Starting for La Rochelle in week 19 will be Argentine-Italian second-rower Leandro Cedaro.
Last weekend’s strongest performers, Montpellier will be in search of an away bonus point win when they face bottom of the table Agen. The 4th placed Montpellier are to go up against a side featuring the U.S. eligible Dave Ryan in the starting lineup. Ryan will play at tighthead prop.
Pau will look to win at home when they face the relegation threatened Oyonnax in Saturday’s final fixture. To realistically have a chance of avoiding relegation this is a match which Oyonnax need to win. Veteran Juan Pablo Orlandi will start at tighthead prop. The Jaguares would love to have his services vs the Stormers this weekend.
Sunday’s two fixtures are to see Bordeaux hosting Clermont and Toulouse taking-on Stade Français. Teams for both matches are to be named on Saturday. All four clubs have strong ties to Argentina with three having test players and the fourth coached by a former Puma.
