Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

UP

Bolivia
The landlocked country is set to become the final part of the puzzle for South American Rugby. Advanced work is underway in the country to establish a domestic rugby governing body. Upon completion all of continental Spanish America will have a union. The future is bright for Bolivia and the Americas.

Chris Wyles
The recently retired former Eagles captain completed a major milestone on Saturday as he played his 200th match for Saracens. The 32-year-old, 52-times capped outside back from Stamford, Connecticut, celebrated the outing by scoring a try in what was a 36-18 win to put Saracens top of the Premiership.

Patricio Fernández
Eleven years younger than Wyles, Fernández was another player from the Americas to score a try in Europe this weekend. Fernández’ second half try, combined with his goal kicking, saw Clermont upsetting Bordeaux in an away Top 14 match on Sunday. With it Clermont hold on to top spot in France and Fernández stands out as a player to watch for both club and, in time, country.

AJ MacGinty and DTH van der Merwe in Pro 12
USA flyhalf MacGinty kicked Connacht to victory on Saturday as Connacht overcame Leinster to now be clear top of the Guinness Pro 12 table. After 18 rounds the western Irish province are strongly positioned, sitting 12 points ahead of the 5th placed Ulster. The only non-Irish province in the top four is Welsh side Scarlets. The Llanelli-based region defeated the Ospreys 25-16 in Swansea on Saturday with Canadian DTH van der Merwe running in a try.

Felipe Arregui
Without both Ramiro Herrera and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, the unknown Felipe Arregui was promoted to start a Super Rugby match for Los Jaguares this weekend. The 21-year-old from Rosario joined Agustín Creevy and Santiago García Botta in the front row and came out with his reputation significantly improved. Arregui would appear to be a long-term tighthead option for Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade.

UNDER

World Rugby Nations Cup Schedule
Both Uruguay and Namibia are to feature in this year’s Nations Cup. They are to join hosts Romania in addition to ‘A’ sides from Argentina and Italy and the senior test side from Spain. Uruguay will play matches against Emerging Italy, Romania, and Spain but will not face Namibia. With both Namibia and Uruguay having been World Cup participants, their match-up in the Nations Cup was sought by many but will not be eventuating.

Los Jaguares
Having a roster packed with World Cup semi-finalists ought to be a dream scenario but the Raúl Pérez-coached team are struggling to win matches in their inaugural Super Rugby campaign. Against the Stormers this past weekend the Buenos Aires based side was beaten, but did just enough to secure a losing bonus point. The wheels came off as a team making 90 less tackles were unable to get the job done with ball in hand.

Jaguares Touring Fullbacks
Neither Lucas González Amorosino nor Joaquín Tuculet are to feature in the opening tour matches in New Zealand and Japan. Both are to join for the third and fourth matches, not facing the Blues or Hurricanes in Auckland and Wellington. As such Santiago Cordero was set to play at the back but having suffered a car accident he is now also out. Ramiro Moyano will now tour, technically putting the fourth choice player into the starting lineup.

France’s June Tour of Argentina
Central to the changed representative policy of the UAR has been preventing potential damage to Los Pumas’ chances on the international stage. June tours in 2012-2014 featured significantly weakened Argentine rosters as those playing in Europe were not able to play both in June and in the Rugby Championship. Despite the problem now having been repaired Argentina is to take on France for two tests in Tucumán in June with Guy Noves lacking access to his players from the leading six Top 14 clubs.

Irish and Falcons
The battle to avoid relegation took on a new chapter this weekend with one of the three relegation-threatened sides seemingly now in the clear. Worcester’s 12-6 win over London Irish places the West Midlands club 16 points above the drop zone. Still in danger are both Irish and the Newcastle Falcons. Presently the home of Canadians Jebb Sinclair and Ciaran Hearn, Irish trail Juan Pablo Socino and Belisario Agulla’s Newcastle by four points with only four rounds remaining.