Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The penultimate round of the regular season is underway in France. Week 29 of the Pro D2 is of vital importance for the play-off’s and relegation picture. Defending the colors of a variety of clubs are to be players from the Americas.
The opening Week 29 fixture took place on Thursday evening. Leaders Oyonnax hosted former French giants, Perpignan. In winning 19-9 the Oyomen move to 90 points in the standings. This is 6 more than Agen who are second heading into the weekend. Canadian great Jamie Cudmore played the match at flanker for Oyonnax.
Friday will see six league matches. First up will be a mid-table battle between Charente and Carcassonne. Argentine backs Sebastien Poet and Facundo Panceyra Garrido are to start for the home side. Uruguayan Felipe Berchesi will feature as Carcassonne’s reserve fly half.
Argentina and Uruguay are to also have players involved in Dax vs Mont de Marsan. The fixture between former Top 14 sides is to see Jerónimo Negrotto and Agustín Ormaechea starting. Also involved for the visitors will be Carlos Muzzio as replacement hooker. Points will see Mont de Marsan secure a place in the Semi Finals.
Another battle between former Top 14 sides will be vastly different. Albi are 15th and thus facing relegation. They play host to Agen this this evening. Agen will be looking to show no mercy as they seek a place back in France’s elite. Taylor Paris will start on the left wing for Agen while possible Eagle, Dave Ryan will play at prop.
Two sides happy to stay affloat are Béziers and Vannes. They also meet this evening. The visitors are to have Argentine-Canadian-U.S involvement. Starting in the second-row is to be Javier Lagioiosa. Named on the bench this week are Conor Trainor and Eric Fry.
Confirmed as being relegated, Bourgoin continue their season from hell. The eastern French side host Narbonne later today. Defending the Bourgoin colors will be Argentine players Leandro Perez Galeone and Nicolas Mirande. USA forwad David Tameilau starts at No 8 for Narbonne. His side are in need of a win to remain above Albi.
This evening’s final fixture sees Biarritz chasing a spot in the play-off’s. At home the Basque outfit host Aurillac. The teams sit 7th and 8th but the latter is out of the running. Leandro Mario Assi starts in the Biarritz front-row.
Week 29 will come to a close on Sunday. The one match is to be Colomiers vs Montauban. The teams enter the round in 5th and 4th positions respectively. The winning side will secure a spot in the Semi Finals. Lineups for the match will be named on Saturday afternoon.
