Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Americas fans can look forward to a pretty solid weekend in the Pro D2, with upwards of 20 players representing Argentina, Canada, the USA, and Uruguay across the eight games. Narbonne got things started on Thursday evening with a 23-17 win over Montauban. Starting at no8 for the winners was 2016 ARC star David Tameilau, while Argentine tighthead prop Damian Arias played roughly half the match as a replacement for the other side.
Odds of a post-game gathering seem high at Stade Maurice Boyau with five Argentines set to feature. Dax are at home with a pair in Martín Chiappesoni on the flank and Ignacio Mieres at flyhalf. Three of their compatriots are in the visiting side with Ariel Castellina starting at tighthead and Demián Panizzo in the second row, with hooker Agustín Costa Repetto among the reserves.
Another Argentine party might take place in Charente with Sebastián Poet at flyhalf for the home team. Listed as backups for the SA XV are hooker Bruno Mercanti and outside back Facundo Panceyra Garrido. Arriving with Albi is tighthead Lucas Martínez, who also settles for a reserve role.
Vannes have dipped into three Americas countries in their lineup to face Biarritz. The USA’s Eric Fry runs out at loosehead with Argentina’s Martín García Veiga beside at hooker and Canada’s own Conor Trainor back at outside centre. Second row Javier Lagioiosa and flyhalf Bautista Güemes, both Argentines, are on the bench.
Agen have American-eligible Dave Ryan at tighthead and Canadian winger Taylor Paris also in the starting lineup. They face off against Mont-de-Marsan with Uruguay’s Agustín Ormaechea back in the no9 jersey and Jerónimo Negrotto providing tighthead cover.
Leandro Pérez Galeone will start on the flank for Bourgoin with fellow Argentine Nicolás Mirande a backup prop for their home match against Carcassonne. Meanwhile the lone match on Sunday sees Christian Ostberg’s Aurillac on the road to Perpignan. The Texas native could see his first league action since November 25 if named in the side later this weekend.
