Americas Players in Guinness Pro 12 – Season Preview

A new season of the Guinness Pro 12 begins on Friday. It follows a much needed off-season as the leading players were busy from August 2015 until June 2016 with club and international activities.

The Americas will have a significant presence in the Pro 12 this season. While Argentina’s numbers have dwindled as players return home for Super Rugby consideration, both Canada and the USA are well represented.

 

Argentina

The 2016-17 Pro 12 season will see a record low number of Argentine players involved, with Bruno Postiglioni and Guillermo Roan flying the flag at Zebre. Both are former Pumas. Lucas González Amorosino is back in Argentina and others have moved on to France.

NAME	POSITION	CLUB
Bruno Postiglioni	Prop	Zebre
Guillermo Roan	Prop	Zebre

 

Canada

Canadians of all categories will be involved in this season’s Guinness Pro 12. Italian international Robert Barbieri played age-grade rugby for Canada, while Irish-born Shane O’Leary represented Canada at u20 level. Luke McGrath is Canadian-born but very much Irish and chasing the green jersey. Djustice Sears-Duru begins his first full season at Glasgow Warriors. Both Jeff Hassler and DTH van der Merwe will likely be contenders for the highest try scorer of the season.

NAME	POSITION	CLUB
Djustice Sears-Duru	Prop	Glasgow Warriors
Tyler Ardron	No8	Ospreys
Robert Barbieri	No8	Benetton Treviso
Luke McGrath	Scrumhalf	Leinster
Shane O’Leary	Flyhalf	Connacht
Jeff Hassler	Wing	Ospreys
DTH van der Merwe	Wing	Scarlets

 

USA

Having won the title last season for Connacht AJ MacGinty is now playing in England. A number of prominent Eagles, however, will be back this season. Cam Dolan hopes to secure a starting role at Cardiff as will Greg Peterson at Glasgow. Tommy Seymour was born in Nashville, Tennessee but opted to turn out for Scotland, qualifying through his Glasgow-born mother. Similarly Sam Underhill was born in Ohio but has played for England at u18 level and looks set to win senior caps in the future.

Callum Black has long been American-eligible having been born in Washington, DC, but has chosen to pursue his Irish qualifications instead. Former USA age-grade rep Hanno Dirksen – born in South Africa – is no longer eligible, now qualifying instead for Wales on residency.

NAME	POSITION	CLUB
Callum Black	Prop	Ulster
Cam Dolan	Lock	Cardiff Blues
Greg Peterson	Lock	Glasgow Warriors
Sam Underhill	Flanker	Ospreys
Blaine Scully	Wing	Cardiff Blues
Tommy Seymour	Wing	Glasgow Warriors