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There are to be a variety of Americas players in the Guinness Pro 12 this coming weekend. Week 3 of the Celtic-Italian League will have a Friday-Saturday split with three matches played on each day.
Two of the leading teams in the early rounds of the season, Leinster and the Ospreys, will open Week 3. Being played in Dublin it will test the Ospreys significantly. The Welsh region will have two Canadians in their run-on team. Tyler Ardron will play number 8 while Jeff Hassler will play right wing, esrning his 50th Ospreys cap. Former USA junior Hanno Dirksen remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Having lost last Friday in Cardiff the Glasgow Warriors are targeting a win at home against Ulster in Week 3. Starting for the Scots in the second-row will be Greg Peterson. Meanwhile on the wing will be the one that got away, Tommy Seymour. The USA eligible Callum Black will be a replacement prop for Ulster.
Over in Italy Benetton Treviso and the Newport Gwent Dragons will battle it out in Friday’s final fixture. With both teams having lost their opening two matches their clash is of vital importance to the campaigns of both teams. Treviso are coached by former Canadian Head Coach Kieran Crowley. Toronto’s Robert Barbieri will miss the match through injury.
Italy’s second side, Zebre will take-on the in-form Cardiff Blues in Parma on Saturday. On the bench for Zebre will be former Argentine loose-head prop Bruno Postiglioni. Starting for the Welsh region will be USA flier Blaine Scully. The Californian will play on the right wing.
West Wales’ region, the Scarlets will also be in action on Saturday. Playing at home to champions, Connacht, the Llanelli-based side have a strong shot at a win. Canadian eligible Shane O’Leary has been named as Connacht’s reserve fly half. DTH van der Merwe remains sidelined through injury.
