Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Week 3 of the 2016-17 Top 14 season will see matches played on Saturday and Sunday in France. The competition features world class athletes from around the globe. Included are players from the Americas. This season’s edition is to continue with the importance of Americas players. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and the USA are all represented.
Opening week 3 will be Stade Français vs Clermont on Saturday in Paris. In looking to conquer the capital a ferocious lineup has been named by Clermont. Starting at flyhalf will be Argentina’s Patricio Fernández. Captaining the Parisians will be Sergio Parisse, the Argentina born and raised Italian international. The team is coached by former Puma Gonzalo Quesada.
Way down south Pau will welcome Bayonne in the second fixture. Starting for the home side at flanker will be former Toulon star Steffon Armitage. The former England international was born in Trinidad & Tobago. Former Puma Martín Bustos Moyano will start at fullback for Bayonne. On the bench will be Chilean Pablo Huete.
An early season vital fixture sees Lyon taking on Grenoble in a derby. Neither team had started particularly well but initial signs are more worrying for Grenoble. Argentine players Francisco Gomez Kodela and Agustín Figuerola will start at tighthead prop and scrumhalf for Lyon. Trinidad & Tobago’s other English-capped player, Delon Armitage will play fullback.
Rodrigo Capó Ortega will lead Castres on Saturday. Playing at home against La Rochelle the Uruguayan will play second-row. Former Pumas Benjamín Urdapilleta and Horacio Agulla will both join him in the starting lineup. Urdapilleta will play flyhalf and Agulla right wing.
The battle of financial styles is a theme which places Toulon and Brive on opposite ends of the spectrum. While Toulon is famous for the recruitment of global stars Brive is known for acquiring players cheaply and getting more out of them than prior clubs. Leading Toulon from the back-row on Saturday will be Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe.
In addition to the five Saturday games there will be two played on Sunday. Bordeaux and Racing 92 will have home advantage for their respective matches against Montpellier and Toulouse. Lineups for both matches will be announced on Saturday.
