Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Greene King IPA Championship, otherwise known as the RFU Championship, has always warmly welcomed players from the Americas. With as many as 13 set to take part at the get-go it remains a popular destination, though not quite quite as well-manned as in the past.
Argentina
With Martín García Veiga moving to France and Gastón Cortes winning promotion to the Premiership with Bristol, Argentina’s numbers were looking thin until the Pirates handed a first-ever pro contract to Nicolás de Battista. Richmond had two Argentineans on the roster last season, both flankers. Openside Mateo Zambruno, formerly of CUBA, and ex-Los Tilos blindside Adam Lee. As a semi-pro outfit their squad numbers will be high but as of yet there is no confirmation whether Zambruno and Lee will be making appearances with them this season.
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba | Prop | Ealing Trailfinders |
| Adam Lee | Flanker | Richmond |
| Mateo Zambruno | Flanker | Richmond |
| Nicolás de Battista | Centre | Cornish Pirates |
Canada
A total of eight Canadian-eligible players will show up in this year’s Championship. The relegation of London Irish means Jebb Sinclair and Ciaran Hearn each taste the division for the first time. Former national u20 hooker Richard Townsend returns after an earlier spell with Ealing.
James Pritchard has left for Coventry while Connor Braid, Kyle Gilmour, Aaron Flagg, and Jon Phelan have all returned to Canada. Sam Blanchet was last seen playing for Manly in the Shute Shield.
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| Richard Townsend | Hooker | Richmond |
| Brett Beukeboom | Lock | Cornish Pirates |
| Tyler Hotson | Lock | Richmond |
| Justin Blanchet | Flanker | Bedford Blues |
| Jebb Sinclair | Flanker | London Irish |
| Aaron Carpenter | No8 | London Welsh |
| Ciaran Hearn | Centre | London Irish |
| Matt Evans | Fullback | Cornish Pirates |
USA
The Eagles will have one representative in the division this year with Richmond’s promotion giving once-capped midfielder Ronnie McLean another shot at the Championship.
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| Ronnie McLean | Centre | Richmond |
