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With the first block of matches now behind them the overall standings are starting to take shape in the Greene King IPA Championship. Bristol, as expected, are in top spot with a perfect six wins from six, though they did taste defeat against Doncaster in the British & Irish Cup last weekend. Ealing are clear in second spot with their only loss coming against the pace-setters while the Nottingham, Bedford, and Doncaster are all tied with four wins apiece with the Knights just ahead with an extra bonus point.
Friday’s weekend opener will have in-form USA international Ronnie McLean wearing the No 12 shirt for Richmond against Nottingham. An extra-Championship match will also take place at Iffley Road where Gastón Cortes and Bristol United will face Oxford University in a friendly. All-American select Conor Kearns captains the Blues from his flyhalf position with Canada’s Dan Moor lining up at inside centre.
Shane O’Leary‘s outstanding performance for Ealing against Connacht sees him named to make his first Championship start against Rotherham at Clifton Lane on Saturday. The Canadian international will have relished the opportunity to work with Eddie Jones and the English coaching staff in a special training session during the week.
No Americas players will be part of Bristol’s trip to the Channel Island of Jersey, though former UBC Thunderbirds forward Sam Jeffries will play on the blindside flank. There will be two in action at the Athletic Ground where London Scottish plays host to Hartpury. Kyle Baillie returns to the Exiles lineup on the blindside while prop Dino Waldren is named in the reserves.
Sunday’s match at Castle Park sees two North American locks going head-to-head. Nick Civetta and Doncaster will square off against the Cornish Pirates and Brett Beukeboom. The two competitors last met during the World Cup Qualifying series earlier this year that saw Civetta’s USA Eagles get the best of Beukeboom’s Canadian side. Former Pumas Sevens standout Nicolás Coronel is on the bench for Pirates.
