Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Against the backdrop of the November Internationals there is to be a full round of the Guinness Pro 14 this weekend. No matches will coincide with the tests taking place on Saturday. Instead there will be four Friday fixtures and the remaining three on Sunday. There is to be a sprinkling of involvement from the Americas.
Argentina, Canada and the USA are to have player involvement on Friday. Ulster’s home encounter against Benetton Treviso’s will see starts for center Juan Ignacio Brex and no 8 Robert Barbieri. The former is uncapped while the later has 41 caps for Italy, including playing at Rugby World Cup 2011. The USA eligible Callum Black starts at Loose Head prop for Ulster.
In Parma, Italy on Sunday Zebre play host to Munster. Starting at Tight Head prop for the home side will be Argentina XV player Eduardo Bello. Also involved will be Canadian flier Jeff Hassler. He starts on the left wing for the Ospreys who are at home against the Glasgow Warriors. The Canadian has missed out on international duty this month.
Hassler’s non-involvement is not ideal for Canadians though the most important rugby is not the November Internationals but the Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Canada are to face Uruguay home and away in January and February. The winner will qualify for Japan 2019 as Americas 2.
A player to have turned down a call-up for the USA in Rugby World Cup 2011 is Hanno Dirksen. The South African born player grew up in the USA and even played for the Eagles in a non-capped match against Munster. He has since moved to Wales and has obtained Welsh eligibility. He, however, remains uncapped and can no longer represent the USA. Dirksen joins Hassler in starting this weekend for the Ospreys.
