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Week 9 of the Pro D2 season has begun. France’s second division is proving to be highly competitive and unpredictable. The race to win promotion to the Top 14 and to avoid relegation is proving to deliver results that few expected. Involved in the competition are players from the Americas.
The opening Week 9 fixture was Colomiers and home to Nevers. This is a former Top 14 power against a side new to the competition from the Fédérale 1. Argentine flyhalf Sebastián Poet started for Colomiers, scoring the team’s only points. Agustín Costa Repetto played hooker while Horacio San Martín played center for Nevers. All three are former Pumas.
The Pro D2 enters overdrive on Friday with six matches being played. Starting at Tight Head prop for Charante will be Argentine Joël Scalvi. Charente take on Massy in what is a prime opportunity for a bonus point win.
Starting at loosehead prop for Mont-de-Marsan will be Carlos Muzzio. A year ago he was playing for the Argentina XV in the World Rugby Nations Cup. Mont-de-Marsan host Aurillac and are to do so with Jerónimo Negrotto also featuring. He will play from the bench.
Both Argentina and Chile are to have players present in Carcassonne vs Bayonne. Featuring for the home side will be Demian Panizzo while Pablo Huete starts for Bayonne. They are to start in the second row for opposing clubs.
Gonzalo Quesada’s Biarritz is chasing another win. Having beaten Bayonne away the Basque club has new-found confidence. The dream of a return to the Top 14 is alive. Opponents Dax take with them Uruguayan Felipe Berchesi. Montevideo’s best goal kicker is coming off a spectacular performance last round.
Week 9 will come to a close on Sunday. Narbonne host southern neighbors Perpignan. Line-ups for the match will be named on Saturday afternoon.
