Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
With the Americas Rugby Championship now over it’s time to turn our attention back to the European divisions who are now entering the home stretch. The players are starting to filter back in as 11 Americas players take the field for second division clubs in France this weekend.
Thursday’s round opener featured earlier than expected Argentine involvement as Leandro Assi replaced Eugene van Staden at tighthead prop for Biarritz in the 24th minute. His team couldn’t put up much of a fight at Carcassonne with the home side cruising to a 32-9 win, a letdown for Biarritz who need points to stay in the playoff race.
Soon-to-be Fédéralists Bourgoin will start Nicolás Mirande at prop and Leandro Pérez Galeone on the flank against Albi, who must win to keep their Pro D2 hopes alive. Carlos Muzzio runs out at loosehead prop for Mont-de-Marsan when Béziers come to town, and Ignacio Mieres plays flyhalf for Dax at Agen.
Colomiers face tricky opposition in Charente at Stade Michel Bendichou. Two Argentine hookers will go head-to-head as Agustín Costa Repetto starts for the home team and Bruno Mercanti for les Angoulêmes. Facundo Panceyra Garrido will also prowl on the wing for the visitors.
North America’s interests start at Oyonnax, where Jamie Cudmore locks out the scrum against visiting Narbonne. A win for the home team would inch them closer to guaranteed promotion. At the other end of the scale is Vannes, who start Eric Fry at loosehead prop and dress Conor Trainor as a reserve in the huge game against Aurillac. Losing is not an option for the home team if they hope to maintain their Pro D2 status next season.
