Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Greene King IPA Championship switches to semi-final mode this weekend, with the first of a two-leg format set to take place on Sunday. Argentine prop Gastón Cortes, recently named to the divisional Dream Team, will start on the bench for Bristol as they head to Goldington Road to face Bedford. The Blues will be without Canadian trio Sam Blanchet, Justin Blanchet, and James Pritchard due to injury.
Jon Phelan is the only other Americas player on duty. The towering Canadian lock starts for the Knights as they travel to Headingley to face Yorkshire Carnegie. Tyler Hotson has been left out, with Scottish u20 forward Glen Young preferred on the bench.
The winners of the two semi-finals are determined by aggregate score after home and away fixtures, with the second leg slated for Sunday May 8. An identical two-leg format is also used to determine the champions, the first leg set for Wednesday May 18. The winner of the final two matches wins promotion to the Aviva Premiership for the 2016/17 season.
