Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The European summer is yet to come to a close but the Guinness Pro 12 is back. Together with the Aviva Premiership the Celtic-Italian league starts two weeks after the French Top 14. The 12-team competition will see of sides from Ireland and Wales being joined by two each from Italy and Scotland. The 12 clubs will battle it out home and away.
In action from the Americas today will be Canadians Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler, at no8 and right wing respectively for the Ospreys. The Welsh region will play at home against Italian city-side Zebre who will play in Swansea without their Argentine props. Bruno Postiglioni is unavailable through injury.
The US-eligible Callum Black will also be starting a match today. The uncapped prop has been named to start for Ulster who play host to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The six remaining Pro 12 sides will play their matches on Saturday. First up in Western Wales will be the Scarlets hosting Munster. The Welsh region enters this season as a strong contender to go far. Quality signings give it the depth required to be a contender. Starting on the right wing will be Canadian DTH van der Merwe.
2016 champions Connacht host 2015 Glasgow in the following fixture. With AJ MacGinty now a Sale Shark the Irish province has a different play maker. Providing cover for Jack Carty will be the Canadian eligible Shane O’Leary who has already played for Canada at u20 level. Playing left wing for Glasgow will be Tommy Seymour. From Tennessee Seymour plays at international level for Scotland.
Bringing week 1 to a close will be the Cardiff Blues vs Edinburgh. The Welsh vs Scottish capital battle will involve two USA Eagles. Starting on the right wing for the Blues will be Blaine Scully. Also involved will Cam Dolan who will feature as a replacement.
