Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Just five rounds of play remain in France’s domestic championship this season. For some there is a scramble to obtain the necessary points to reach the play-offs while for others it is about qualifying for Europe or avoiding the dreaded relegation. This weekend will see some in all scenarios with Americas Players in Top 14 – Week 22.
Opening action will be an early Saturday match on the Mediterranean coast as Toulon take-on Toulouse at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. Former Pumas captain Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will play opened flanker for the home side. Yet to return to fitness are Americas second-rowers Samu Manoa and Patricio Albacete.
The in-form Castres will have a prime opportunity to push further towards a place in the play-offs when they host Pau on Saturday. The team is to, again, be led by Uruguayan Rodrigo Capó Ortega. The veteran second-rower will be one of two Rio de la Plata players starting, the other being Benjamin Urdapilleta who will play against the highly promising French 21 year old Brandon Fajardo.
The U.S. eligible Dave Ryan will be in action in the following fixture, starting for Agen who play host to Brive. Agen remain stuck in the relegation zone but not yet officially relegated. A win over the 8th placed Brive is utterly vital. Fir Brive a win would edge the club closer to an unlikely appearance in the barrage play-offs.
Similarly, Oyonnax must win and get points over the visiting La Rochelle on Saturday. Should the club fail to do so La Rochelle would be winning on the road for the first time this season. La Rochelle is to feature Argentine-Italian Leandro Cedaro who has been named in the second-row. He will partner the highly gifted teenager Mathieu Tanguy.
Former Puma Francisco Goméz Kodela will feature from the bench in Saturday’s final fixture. His club, Bordeaux will be in search of points to get back into the play-offs zone. They will face the uninspiring Stade Français, a club looking like a shadow of the team that won the Top 14 title last year. The Gonzalo Quesada coached side will feature Argentine-Italian Sergio Parisse at the back of the scrum.
Week 22 will come to a close on Sunday with the suburban Parisians Racing 92 playing host to Clermont. Lineups from both clubs are to be announced on Saturday.
