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This weekend will see many more Americas Players in the Guinness Pro 12 than last. Week 13 will also be the final round of the Celtic-Italian League in January. Week 14 of the competition will begin on Friday February 10.
Week 13 will also see only five matches played. Not involved are Edinburgh and Munster. Their Week 13 fixture is to instead be played on Friday February 03. The five Week 13 matches this weekend will be a three-two way split of Friday and Saturday matches.
First up will be a match in Eastern Wales. The Newport Gwent Dragons will have a prime opportunity to win at home. The play host to Treviso, the better of the two Italian sides so far this season. Italy’s Canadian, Robert Barbieri will play flanker.
Over in Ireland Leinster will be targeting a big win over Zebre. The Italians have travelled to Dublin with two Argentine players. Both Serafin Bordoli and Guillermo Roan have been named on the bench. Bordoli will make his Guinness Pro 12 debut.
Friday’s remaining fixture will be played in West Wales. It will see the Scarlets at home against Ulster. The USA eligible Callum Black to start at Loose Head for the visitors. Not playing is Canadian DTH van der Merwe. He will be moving to play in the Aviva Premiership next season.
In Saturday’s first match the Ospreys host last season’s champions, Connacht. Canadian u20 Shane O’Leary misses out for Connacht though injury. Former USA junior Hanno Dirksen will make his 100th appearance for the Ospreys. He turned down playing for the Eagles at Rugby World Cup 2011 to try to play for Wales.Ohio’s Sam Underhill will play from the bench. Canadians Tyler Ardron and Jeff Hassler remain sidelined with serious injuries.
In Scotland the Glasgow Warriors will host the Cardiff Blues. Still missing to a shoulder injury is Greg Peterson. Tennessee’s Scottish international, Tommy Seymour will play on the right wing. His opponent will be Californian Blaine Scully.
