Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Week 20 of the Pro D2 is underway. France’s second division is fully professional and is packed with players from the Americas.
On the line for the clubs are two places in the Top 14. Both Biarritz and Montauban are former Top 14 sides currently fighting for promotion. They met in the opening Pro D2 match of week 20 on Thursday. The game opened with red card, both teams losing a player in the 3rd minute. Argentina’s Leandro Mario Assi played Tight Head for Biarritz.
Six of the remaining matches take place today. In Central France Aurillac have home advantage against Charante. The visitors have earned praise for competing well in their first Pro D2 season. Starting in the backs vs Aurillac will be Sebastián Poet and Facundo Panceyra Garrido. Bruno Mercanti will play from the bench.
Two teams requiring points are Albi and Vannes. They meet on Albi’s home turf. One of Vannes’ best, if not the best, players this season has been Connor Trainor. He will play at outside center. The USA and Argentina will join Canada in being represented. Both Eric Fry and Bautista Guemes will play from the bench.
Uruguayan Agustín Ormaechea will play at scrum half today. He will do so for Mont de Marsan who play away to Carcassonne. Encouraging news for Uruguay is that Ormaechea may have quality back-up now. Santiago Arrata had a wonderful match for Uruguay vs the USA last Saturday.
Dax take on Narbonne in another match between former Top 14 sides. Dax will be doing so without their Argentine players. The Americas will, nevertheless, be represented. Named at No 8 this weekend will be David Tameilau. The Eagles utility forward is proving to be highly useful to Narbonne.
The financially troubled Bourgoin will be up against it today. At home they face 2009 French champions, Perpignan. With relegation staring Bourgoin in the face the players need to find a way. Leandro Perez Galeone will be one of them. The Argentine forward will start at flanker.
Colomiers and Oyonnax are very well positioned. For both competing in the 2017-2018 Top 14 competition is a realistic aim. Starting at hooker for Colomiers today will be Agustín Costa Repetto. Damian Panizzo and Jamie Cudmore will play on opposite teams in the second-row.
The final match will see Agen at home to Beziers. With it being played on Sunday lineups are not to be released until Saturday afternoon.
