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Ecuador Head Coach Shawn Berry has named his lineup for Saturday’s all-important match against Guatemala in Guayaquil. The teams will face-off in what is a Rugby World Cup Qualifier with the winner advancing to the next round. For the loser it will spell elimination.
Los Piqueros have home advantage against the Guatemalans. This is the case based on Ecuador being the higher ranked of the two in Sudamérica Rugby terms. Ecuador played in the 2015 South American B Championship, finishing last in fourth position. Guatemala, meanwhile, won the South American C Championship.
The two tournament results meant that Ecuador and Guatemala are now to play Saturday’s match in what is repechage. The winner will join the 2016 South American B Championship while the loser will play in this year’s South American C Championship.
The 2016 South American B Championship doubles as Rugby World Cup 2019 Qualification. The winner will advance to the next stage to face either Mexico or Guyana in a Sudamérica Rugby vs Rugby Americas North play-off.
Saturday’s fixture is therefore make or break for both participants. The match will be played at the Estadio Modelo Alberto Spencer. In hope of attracting interest from the public kick-off is scheduled for 3pm local time and admission is free.
Berry has named John Jairo Cacpata Saez captain for the match. The Jibaros QRC back will lead Los Piqueros from fly half.
ECUADOR
1 Marco David Troya Rosas, 2 Juan Sebastián Galvez Pozo, 3 Jair Benavides Molina, 4 Juan Carlos Suarez Tenorio, 5 Jonathan David Auria Jarama, 6 Jorge Civinta Toscano, 7 Luis Cordero, 8 Luis Isaac Villacis Muñoz, 9 Edison Miguel Avellaneda Tobar, 10 John Jairo Cacpata Saez (capt.), 11 Luis Orlando Corrozco Castillo, 12 Edwin Andres Lastra Quiñonez, 13 Heccer Jair Benavides Molina, 14 Leonardo Cabeza Sosa, 15 Craig Smith
Replacements: 16 Andrés Sotomayor, 17 Alberto Vallarino Laad, 18 Vicente Centeno, 19 Rodrigo Estrada Aguila, 20 Jaime Perelli, 21 Santiago Javier Galvez Pozo, 22 Manolo Sebastián Silva Salazar, 23 David Isaac Vazquez Montenegro
