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This round might be more accurately described as Round 1, Part 1. Due to the scheduling of the Guinness Pro 14 and the Aviva Premiership, the Welsh sides will not be in action this weekend, instead deferring their ‘Round 1’ fixtures to Friday, November 17, the weekend after Round 2. As is standard practice the Premiership sides have named sides composed of a mix of fringe first team players, academy prospects, and injury returnees with most of the big names either beginning international duty or simply rested.
AJ MacGinty has seen his Sale Sharks jersey handed to James O’Connor in the past couple weeks and will get an opportunity to remind Steve Diamond of his class against Worcester on Friday night. He’ll be facing a familiar face in fellow Eagles international Andrew Durutalo, who makes his Warriors debut after joining the club from Ealing. Incoming USA coach Gary Gold will be there in person to assess his new charges.
A third Eagle, Chris Baumann, is set to make his competitive debut for Leicester Tigers having been named as a reserve to face Gloucester. Northampton Saints will start Juan Pablo Estelles on the wing against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday. It’s the first run-out with the senior side this season for Estelles.
Newcastle will start a pair of Argentines at Ricoh Arena, the home of Wasps. Santiago Socino returns to start at hooker and Belisario Agulla will play on the left wing for Falcons.
