Things couldn’t be much quieter in the Guinness Pro 12 this weekend. Only one solitary Argentine international will be in action with the five other Americas-born players unavailable to the nations of their birth. Injuries have ruled out some while others simply haven’t been selected.
Former Pumas prop Guillermo Roan flies the flag for all of the Americas this weekend, and he’ll do so from the bench for Zebre when they welcome Edinburgh to Stadio Lanfranchi on Saturday. Bruno Postiglioni has been left out by the Italian side while Felipe Arregui is not included in the visiting team.
Toronto native Robert Barbieri continues his return to fitness on the flank for Benetton Treviso who also face a Scottish side in Glasgow Warriors. There is no sign of Djustice Sears-Duru or Langi Haupeakui, while Greg Peterson remains sidelined with injury. Nashville-native Tommy Seymour is on the left wing.
Also on Saturday Ulster travel to Dublin to face Leinster at the RDS where two token North Americans will participate. New Ireland cap Luke McGrath starts at scrumhalf for the home team while Washington-born Emerging Ireland prop Callum Black is on the bench for the visitors.
New Year’s Day is basically a non-starter for Americas fans of the Pro 12, with DTH van der Merwe and Blaine Scully both out of the inter-Welsh match between Scarlets and Cardiff Blues. Cam Dolan has been loaned to Cardiff RFC and must surely be eyeing pastures new for next season. American-born flanker Sam Underhill is on the bench for Ospreys against Newport Gwent Dragons.