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Friday marks a big occasion for 21-year-old Texan export Christian Ostberg. The big USA Select XV forward makes his first competitive start in his Pro D2 career as he lines up on the blindside flank for Aurillac when they travel to Angoulême. Two Argentines will be opposite in the Charente backline. Sebastián Poet starts at flyhalf with Facundo Panceyra Garrido on the wing.
Also of great interest to Eagles fans will be the debut of David Tameilau in the no8 jersey for Narbonne against Perpignan. It’s been a difficult year for the Bay Area native as he lost form and fitness and has found himself on the outs with John Mitchell, but earning his first start with his new club is a step in the right direction.
Thursday’s lone contest saw Dave Ryan and Agen take a vital 32-30 road win over Dax. Martín Chiappesoni started at openside flank for the home side with Ignacio Mieres playing flyhalf. The win nudges Agen to the top of the table though perhaps only temporarily with seven games still to be played between Friday and Sunday and three clubs – Colomiers, Oyonnax, and Aurillac – within striking distance.
Other matches on Friday include Biarritz and reserve prop Leandro Assi facing off against two more Argentine props and Mont-de-Marsan. Jerónimo Negrotto starts at tighthead for the visitors with Carlos Muzzio on the bench. Another prop, Damian Arias, will act as a replacement for Montauban at Carcassonne, and second row Demian Panizzo will also wait his turn from the bench for Colomiers when they travel to Albi.
One game is slated for Sunday. Jamie Cudmore will not be with Oyonnax as he instead plays for Canada against Samoa, but Vannes could have any of Martín García Veiga, Ramiro Pacheco, Javier Lagioiosa, or Bautista Güemes in their lineup. They of course will be without their own Canadian as Conor Trainor lines up beside Cudmore at the Stade des Alpes.
