The Pro D2 will take a short break next weekend but this weekend offers a full slate of games with Oyonnax defeating Aurillac 24-19 on Friday evening to kick off the 10th week of the season. The win bumps Oyonnax one point ahead of Aurillac for the top spot on the table. Six games are slated for Friday evening and one on Sunday with a strong rotation of Americas players set to take part.
David Tameilau is named by Narbonne for the first time and the big American forward should make his French rugby debut as a replacement. On the other side Taylor Paris is on the bench for Agen amidst swirling rumors that he could move elsewhere next year. A win for Agen would put them back into first place ahead of Oyonnax. US-eligible prop Dave Ryan starts for the team at tighthead.
Bourgoin travel to Carcassonne with Leandro Pérez Galeone at no8 and Nicolás Mirande one of five Argentine props named in match-day rosters. Mirande will start on the bench, as will Lucas Martínez for Albi who play host to Charente. The visitors field Sebastián Poet at flyhalf and new signing Facundo Panceyra Garrido in the midfield.
Carlos Muzzio and Jerónimo Negrotto again team up in the Stade Montois front row against Béziers, with Uruguay’s Agustín Ormaechea starting at scrumhalf before departing to meet up with Los Teros for their November internationals. Martín Chiappesoni is on the flank for Dax and Ignacio Mieres among the replacements to play opposite Montauban.
The fifth prop on display is Biarritz tighthead Leandro Assi, who runs out against a Vannes team loaded with Americas players. Hooker Martín García Veiga, lock Javier Lagioiosa, flyhalf Bautista Güemes, and centre Conor Trainor are all named in the starting lineup. American prop Eric Fry is among the reserves having been left out of the Eagles squad for the upcoming test matches.
Sunday’s only fixture sees Colomiers host Perpignan with teams to be confirmed on Saturday.