Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It is the business end of the European club season which means it is cut-throat times for many clubs. In the case of the Celtic-Italian league there are to be a host of interesting fixtures involving Americas Players in Pro 12 – Week 21. The round is to be the penultimate of the season for all but those four who reach the play-offs.
Certain to miss out on the Semi Finals is Benetton Treviso. The Italian side, nonetheless, has plenty to play for as it could yet qualify for the 2016-2017 European Champions Cup. A home win over Connacht would greatly aid the team’s cause. Making his return from injury for the Irish province will be the Sale Sharks bound Aj MacGinty. The Eagles fly half has been named on the bench.
To qualify for Europe Benetton Treviso simply need to finish higher than Zebre. Heading into week 21 Zebre has a three point advantage. Both Italian sides are playing this evening but Zebre’s task of gaining competition points is a complicated one. Zebre play away to the reigning champions, the Glasgow Warriors.
The out-of-sorts Zebre have named a strong side including Argentine-Italian Gonzalo Garcia at center and Both Bruno Postiglioni and Emiliano Coria on the bench. Greg Peterson will start for the Scots while a player lost to the USA, Tommy Seymour is to be a replacement.
Friday’s third and final match will take place in the southern Irish city of Cork. Munster are in need of competition points as are the visiting Edinburgh. Both are chasing a place in the play-offs and in the Champions Cup. Uruguayan Mario Sagario will not feature for the home side.
On Saturday Cardiff will take center stage with the rebranded Millennium Stadium playing host to Judgement Day IV. The Welsh regions double will see Cardiff Blues vs Ospreys being followed by the Dragons vs Scarlets. With an eye to Europe the Cardiff Blues and Scarlets have everything to play for.
Canada’s Welsh-based players are all out through injury though there will be some North American representation. Former USA junior Hanno Dirksen will play right wing for the Ospreys while the USA born Sam Underhill has been named as a replacement forward. Blaine Scully and Cam Dolan are to sit out Judgement Day IV.
The Irish derby of Ulster vs Leinster will bring week 21 to a close. Starting in the front-row for the Northern Irish province will be the USA-eligible Callum Black.
