Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Americas fans will be fixated largely on Europe this weekend with the Southern Hemisphere competitions petering out and the Americas Pacific Challenge now behind us. Flying somewhat under the radar is the French Pro D2, which enters its 8th week and features at least 14 players from Argentina, Canada, and Uruguay over the next four days.
Just one game is on the menu for Thursday evening as Albi host Oyonnax at the Stadium Municipal. Lucas Martínez will act as a reserve prop for the home side. Jamie Cudmore is not yet fully recovered from his broken hand suffered several weeks ago.
A bevy of matches are on offer Friday, six in all. Jerónimo Negrotto starts at tighthead prop for Mont-de-Marsan at Narbonne. Carlos Muzzio and Agustín Ormaechea are not in the Montois lineup this week. Canadian winger Taylor Paris runs out on the left wing for Agen against Charente, with US-eligible prop Dave Ryan among the replacements.
Two Argentine hookers will go head-to-head in by far the most intriguing match of the weekend for Americas fans. Agustín Costa Repetto and Colomiers welcome Martín García Veiga and Vannes to Stade Michel Bendichou. The visitors have an unprecedented five Americas players in their starting lineup. Lining up beside García Veiga is tighthead prop Ramiro Pacheco, with Javier Lagioiosa just behind in the second row. Bautista Güemes starts at flyhalf with Conor Trainor at outside centre. This will be the first starts of the season for both Pacheco and Güemes. Countryman Ariel Castellina is named on the bench for Colomiers.
Bourgoin start two Argentines against visiting Perpignan. Nicolás Mirande is named as a loosehead having played all his rugby this season at tighthead, while Leandro Pérez Galeone is on the flank. Uruguay’s Felipe Berchesi is a reserve for Carcassonne despite playing well last weekend.
Sunday’s match could see Martín Chiappesoni and Ignacio Mieres suit up for Dax against Biarritz.
