Americas Players in Top 14 – Week 21

Kicking-off this evening in France will be another round of the country’s national rugby championship. Involved are to be a host of Americas Players in the Top 14. Week 21 will see heated competition throughout with teams fighting for play-offs spots, European Champions Cup qualifiers and, also, for survival.

First up will be the only Friday fixture with the in-form Grenoble playing host to 2013 champions, Castres. The visitors have named a strong side which is to be led by Uruguayan veteran Rodrigo Capó Ortega. The former Teros second-rower will be joined by Benjamin Urdapilleta in the starting lineup. Urdapilleta is one of two Argentine players involved, the other being Lucas Martínez who will be Castres’ replacement tighthead prop.

Saturday will get underway with Pau hosting Toulon. Having been eliminated from the European Champions Cup Toulon must now rebound by turning their attention firmly to the Top 14. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 European champions have named Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe to play opened flanker. His World Cup teammate, Juan Pablo Orlandi, will start at tighthead for Pau.

Named on the bench for Clermont is another tighthead prop from the Americas, Doug Wooldridge. The Canadian will make his Top 14 debut and is to be joined by an Argentine and a potential Eagles in the match. Starting for Agen at fly half will be Bautista Guemes while Dave Ryan will wear the 23 shirt like Wooldridge.

A sell-out crowd of 15,000 will be in attendance for Saturday’s final fixture. La Rochelle host Bordeaux Begles in what used to be a Pro d2 derby but which is a representative fixture of the changes in French rugby since Rugby World Cup 2007. Involved will be Argentine-Italian second-rower Leandro Cedaro for La Rochelle and tighthead prop Francisco Goméz Kodela for Bordeaux. Both are to feature as replacements.

Closing week 21 will be two fixtures on Sunday. First up will be Paris vs Montpellier with the home side looking to build towards a better performance next season. It is to be followed by Toulouse vs Racing 92, a top five battle. Teams for both matches are to be announced on Saturday afternoon.