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In action this weekend are to be Americas Players in the Pro 12. The Celtic-Italian league reaches Week 20, meaning it is the third-to-last round. Yet to be determined are the final four tams to compete in the Semi Finals and the competition’s qualifiers for next season’s European Rugby Champions Cup.
Week 20 will get underway in Ireland with Leinster hosting Edinburgh this evening. Points for the top of table Leinster will take the province closer to the Semi Finals and to qualifying for the European Champions Cup next season. Sitting in seventh, Edinburgh must rise at least one spot to qualify.
Playing at home in Swansea, the Ospreys are expected to be too strong for the visiting Benetton Treviso in the second of two Friday matches. Starting at the back of the scrum for the Italians will be Toronto back-rower Robert Barbieri. The Canadian is capped by Italy. The uncapped former USA junior Hanno Dirksen will play right wing for the Welsh region. Both Jeff Hassler and Tyler Ardron are out through injury, the former confirmed as missing Canada’s June internationals.
On Saturday the Llanelli-based Scarlets take-on last year’s champions, the Glasgow Warriors. Starting on the left wing against his former club will be DTH van der Merwe. He will play opposite Tennessee born, Scottish international Tommy Seymour.
Still holding a narrow lead over Benetton Treviso, Zebre are on course for a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Should the Parma-based side gain points over Ulster on Saturday then the team’s chances will rise. The team, though, will not feature in the Pro 12 play-offs. On the bench for Zebre will be former Puma Bruno Postiglioni. The U.S. eligible Callum Black will start at loosehead prop for the visitors.
An Irish derby will bring Pro 12 play to a close on Saturday. Connacht’s home fixture against Munster is vital to both province’s chances of playing in the post season. Uncapped former Canadian under 20 player, Shane O’Leary will play fly half for Connacht.
Last up on Sunday the Cardiff Blues will host the Newport Gwent Dragons in a Welsh derby. The home side are to be missing USA Eagles Blaine Scully and Cam Dolan.
