Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The final round of the European Champions Cup will be played this weekend. Involved are to be a number of players from the Americas.
Appearing in the opening match of round 6 will be a player each from Uruguay and Argentina. Rodrigo Capó Ortega will play in the second-row for Castres. Set to make an appearance from the bench will be Benjamin Urdapilleta. Castres are at home against Leinster.
Friday’s remaining fixture sees Montpellier at home to Northampton. A big win by the Top 14 side is required for them to join Leinster in qualifying for the Quarter Finals. Starting again for the Aviva Premiership side will be Juan Pablo Estelles. The 2016 Argentine debutant will play on the right wing.
Saturday will see six matches played. In Northern Ireland Ulster have a slim but possible path to the play-off’s. A big win is required over Bordeaux and other results need to go Ulster’s way. Playing from the bench will be the USA eligible Callum Black.
A dead-rubber in Northern England will see the Sale Sharks at home to the Scarlets. Playing fly half for the English side will be USA fly half AJ MacGinty. The Welsh region see the return of Canadian DTH van der Merwe who will play right wing.
In Northern London Saracens will look to respond to back-to-back draws from their previous matches. Their opponents, Toulon, must win to advance to the play-off’s. Starting for Saracens will be Marcelo Bosch at outside center. Titi Lamositele and Juan Figallo are to be the replacement props. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will start at flanker for Toulon while Samu Manoa has been named on the bench.
To advance to the play-off’s the Glasgow Warriors require a win on the road. They are to play against former giants the Leicester Tigers. Starting on the right wing for the Scottish side will be Tommy Seymour. The winger from Nashville, Tennessee was named in Scotland’s Six Nations roster earlier in the week.
A full house in Limerick will see Munster marching on to the final 8. The Irish province has already qualified for the play-off’s. Surrounded by off-field controversies Racing 92 are not having a good season at all. This weekend they are to again field a weakened lineup. Missing are a number of stars. There is, however, a place for Manuel Carizza. The former Puma will play second-row.
The round will come to a close on Sunday. Taking place will be both pool 2 matches. Toulouse and Zebre are to have home advantage against Connacht and Wasps respectively. Former Puma Bruno Postiglioni will play as Zebre’s reserve Loose Head prop while the uncapped Serafin Bordoli will be a replacement back.
