Americas Weekend Guide – Pro D2 Round 18

The weekend is almost here and with it comes the Americas Weekend Guide. Up first is the Pro D2, France’s professional second division competition. Involved in Round 18 will be number of players from the Americas. In Round 18 six of the eight Pro D2 matches are Thursday matches.

First up will be Charente at home to Biarritz. The match is Thursday’s one fixture. The Colomiers-bound Sebastián Poet will pull the strings at fly half for Charente. Fellow Argentine back, Facundo Panceyra Garrido will play right wing. Bruno Mercanti will also play as replacement hooker.

Charente was one of two teams promoted from the Fédérale 1 last season. The other was Vannes, a club in danger of relegation. Vannes are at home to Dax in Round 18. They will have players from Canada, the USA and Argentina involved. Conor Trainor starts at outside center while Eric Fry and Martín García Veiga are replacement front-rowers. Martín Chiappesoni starts at flanker for Dax.

USA No 8 David Tameilau has been named to start for Narbonne. The 27-year-old will start in the second-row against Colomiers.  Argentine front-rowers Agustín Costa Repetto and Ariel Castellina will both start for the visitors.

Second from top hosts second from bottom in Oyonnax vs Albi. The fixture is a prime opportunity for Jamie Cudmore’s team to overtake Montauban. Cudmore will start the fixture in the second-row. Argentine Lucas Martínez is to play from the bench, covering Tight Head prop.

Another team looking to return to the Top 14 will have a strong opportunity for points today as Agen host Bourgoin. Starting on the left wing for Agen will be Canadian flier Taylor Paris. The USA eligible Dave Ryan will also start, playing Tight Head prop.

Completing Pro D2 Round 18 will be Perpignan vs Montauban. The fixture will be played on Saturday. As such lineup for the match have not yet been confirmed.