Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
While the big clubs are revving up for Champions Cup and Challenge Cup duty this weekend, England’s Greene King IPA Championship sides are in their own international competition as they get set for Round 5 of the British & Irish Cup. Generally treated as reserve grade fixtures, the prospects of making a run at the title have seen a few sides rolling out near full-strength lineups. Things are pretty thin on the ground as far as Americas players are concerned, with the only three representatives from this side of the Atlantic all hailing from Canada.
There’s no rest for Lindsay, Ontario, native Brett Beukeboom as he trots out for his 13th match of the season with the Cornish Pirates when they arrive at Llynfi Road in Maestag on Saturday to face the Ospreys Premiership Selects. The Pirates were overwhelming winners in their Round 2 meeting by a score of 42-5, and another big win would put them in the mix for a quarter-final spot. A loss or even an unconvincing win would put their fate in the hands of others.
From the marvel that is Montreal, Quebec, is Justin Blanchet of the Bedford Blues. The uncapped blindside flanker will look to help his side play a spoiler role against a formidable Yorkshire Carnegie lineup. Bedford has had a disappointing season with only five wins from 17 games and will need to find extra motivation to left themselves from the doldrums in the second half of the season. Carnegie have been very strong in league play but vulnerable in the British & Irish Cup matches.
Hailing from nearly as far east as you can go in Canada, Conception Bay South’s favorite son Ciaran Hearn gets his first club start in his favored midfield position since October as London Irish travel across western waters to central Athlone, on the Leinster-Connacht border. It will be a sea of green as the Exiles face off against the Connacht Eagles at Dubarry Park. Their fortunes thus far could not be more opposite as the Eagles have managed only a single losing bonus point in their four games. London Irish on the other hand have won all 17 games since the start of the season and look favorites to claim a double with both the B&I Cup and RFU Championship firmly in sight.
