Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
For the first and only time this season all seven matches in one round of the Top 14 are to be played on a Sunday. Week 26 of the French Premiership is to be the final round for eight teams, two of whom are to play in the second division next season. As in prior rounds a host of Americas players are to be involved.
Heavyweights Toulon are chasing maximum points against Bordeaux with the visitors simply looking to sneak in an appearance in the barrage ahead of Castres. Starting for the home side will be Americas World Cup players Samu Manoa and Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. Former Puma Francisco Gómez Kodela will feature for Bordeaux from the bench.
In the Alps Grenoble, with nothing to play for, will take-on Toulouse. Points for the visitors would greatly aid the prospects of securing a home barrage play-off. Patricio Albacete continues to be sidelined for the former undisputed giants of French rugby.
In suburban Paris Racing 92 will host Montpellier in a fixture which has the potential to be the Top 14 final. Both clubs have been playing excellent rugby with the hosts appearing in the Champions Cup Final and the visitors winning the Challenge Cup. Pumas Manuel Carizza and Juan Imhoff are to start for the home side.
Down in Limousin two clubs who are likely to be shortlisted for potential relegation next season will square-off as Brive hosts Pau. Two potential Rugby World Cup 2019 players for Canada will be starting for Pau. Matt Tierney will play tighthead prop while second-rower Cam Pierce will play out of position at flanker.
A potential USA Eagles front-rower will play for Agen who are at home to Oyonnax in a match-up between the two relegated clubs. Dave Ryan has been named on the bench for the 14th placed side. A win would see Agen finishing in 13th.
In central France Top 14 leaders Clermont host La Rochelle. The home side is entering the play-offs as likely finalists. Argentine-Italian Leandro Cedaro will start in the second-row for the visitors.
A club looking to sneak in is Castres. Doing so will require a home win over 2015 champions Stade Français. The Gonzalo Quesada coached Parisians will not be able to defend their title in Barcelona after the Rugby World Cup, injuries and the Champions Cup proved to much for the club to juggle. Uruguayan great Rodrigo Capó Ortega is to captain Castres from the second-row.
