Americas Players in Pro D2 – Week 11

The return of Jamie Cudmore for Oyonnax highlighted an eventful Friday evening in Week 11 of the French Pro D2. His country-mates will be on the pitch tomorrow in Bucharest, with the big second row set to welcome the team to France next week ahead of their match against Samoa in Grenoble. Cudmore is not in Canada’s touring squad but will making a presentation on concussion and injury prevention during the week. Bourgoin meanwhile had Leandro Pérez Galeone starting at no8 and Nicolás Mirande as a replacement prop.

Two players who might have been expected to be with their international sides this weekend were instead back with their clubs, an issue that remains a challenge for Tier 2 sides. Uruguay’s Felipe Berchesi started in the midfield for Carcassonne at Vannes where American prop Eric Fry was an early second half replacement. Both were involved in test rugby last weekend. Vannes rolled out Martín García Veiga at hooker with Javier Lagioiosa in the second row. Bautista Güemes was named in the reserves but did not see the field.

SA XV Charente traveled to Mont-de-Marsan with Sebastián Poet at flyhalf and Facundo Panceyra Garrido on the wing. A pair of Argentine bookends propped up the Stade Montois front row as loosehead Carlos Muzzio pared up with Jerónimo Negrotto. Ariel Castellina wore no3 for Colomiers against Béziers, and Martín Chiappesoni was on the flank for Dax at Narbonne. US Eagles forward David Tameilau had a short cameo off the bench in the Narbonne second row, and American-eligible Dave Ryan started at tighthead prop for Agen against Perpignan.

Sunday’s fixture between Aurillac and Biarritz could feature two Americas players. USA Select XV lock Christian Ostberg could be in the Aurillac match day squad, while uncapped Argentine prop Leandro Assi is expected to feature for Biarritz.