Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
We’re just nudging into the second half of the Greene King IPA Championship this weekend, with games split between Saturday and – due to holidays – Monday. The big news in recent days has been the liquidation of London Welsh, a situation which has seen half of the team’s roster depart immediately and the other half resigned to part-time professionalism.
Aaron Carpenter is one of those still on the roster but even his days could be numbered with the club requiring a special RFU temporary licence just to fulfill their next two fixtures, and a huge amount of financial convincing due in January to stay the course for the rest of the season. Still recovering from a broken arm suffered a month ago, Carpenter will not be playing in the derby match against London Scottish on Saturday.
Another injured Canuck who won’t be playing is Cornish Pirates fullback Matt Evans, who suffered a knee injury last weekend in the game against London Irish. The club will at least have in-form second row Brett Beukeboom in the lineup to face Ealing Trailfinders as well as Argentine centre Nicolás de Battista, both of whom were on the bench against Irish. Trailfinders will have their own Argentinean albeit among the reserves where Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba will await his turn in the front row.
Two clubs at polar opposites of the table face off at the Athletic Ground as Richmond host the unbeaten Irish at the Athletic Ground. Irish have taken 54 of a maximum 55 points from their 11 games. By contrast Richmond have won only two league matches and sit above London Welsh only by virtue of a 20-point administrative deduction levied this week against the beleaguered Exiles. Richmond’s form has steadily improved, however, and including the British & Irish Cup they have rattled off an impressive three wins in their last five games after losing ten in a row to start the season. One-time US Eagles cap Ronnie McLean will start in his usual no12 jersey.
Looking ahead to Monday there will be two Americas players taking part in mid-table matches. Santiago Socino continues his loan from Newcastle Falcons to Rotherham Titans as he starts at hooker against Doncaster Knights. Running out for Bedford Blues at Goldington Road is flanker Justin Blanchet, who will be eyeing up the injury-ridden Jersey Reds in a battle of two clubs that haven’t really had much impact on the Championship thus far.
