Match Preview – Spain vs Brazil

The 2017 November Internationals have seen a number of firsts. Yet another will join this list on Saturday as Spain face Brazil for the first time in history.

Brazil’s players could not be in higher spirits. Their win last weekend over Belgium has underlined the tremendous ongoing progress that is being achieved. The Americas Rugby Championship has been crucial to the unlocking of new doors.

The win over Belgium saw Brazil rising to 27th in the world and overtaking Chile in the Americas Rankings. Spain’s home defeat at the hands on Canada saw them falling to 20th in the World Rankings. With Spain preparing for Rugby World Cup qualifiers they are looking to get a solid win over Brazil to boost their campaign.

Looking to bounce back Spain have named a side featuring six changes. Charly Malié starts at fullback with regular Brad Linklater moving to the right wing. Argentine Ignacio Contardi completes the back three.

Due to player availability Dan Snee will start at fly half. He will start outside Bayonne scrumhalf Guillaume Rouet. He is to command a forward pack which is intent on overpowering Os Tupis.

Changes to the pack see Aníbal Bonán and Thibaut Visensang named to start. They are to be well served among the replacements with the formidable trio of Jesús Moreno, Carlos Gavidi, and Jaime Nava all ready to enter when required.

Brazilian Head Coach Rodolfo Ambrosio has made four changes for the fixture. In the backs Lucas Muller makes way for Stefano Giantorno on the wing. At scrum-half Matheus Cruz has overcome injury to be declared fit to start.

Reshuffling sees André Arruda moving from flanker to No 8, with Cléber Dias on the blindside. Michel Gomes and Endy Willian are handed their first test starts and Farrapos standout Mauricio Canterle is set to make his international debut at lock.

With regular skipper Yan Rosetti starting among the reserves it will be Felipe Sancery who wears the captain’s armband, doing so for the first time.

Both the past and present favor Spain. Los Leones are a far more settled side and one with a greater variety of players involved at the elite or approaching that level. A home victory in Villajoyosa is very much the expectation.

SPAIN
1 Beñat Auzqui, 2 Marco Pinto, 3 Jonathan García, 4 David Barrera, 5 Aníbal Bonán, 6 Pierre Barthère, 7 Gautier Gibouin (capt.), 8 Thibaut Visensang, 9 Guillaume Rouet, 10 Dan Snee, 11 Ignacio Contardi, 12 Thibaut Álvarez, 13 Mathieu Peluchon, 14 Brad Linklater, 15 Charly Malié

Replacements: 16 Fernando López, 17 Juan Anaya, 18 Jesús Moreno, 19 Carlos Gavidi, 20 Jaime Nava, 21 Sébastien Rouet, 22 Álvar Gimeno, 23 Fabien Perrin

BRAZIL
1 Michel Gomes, 2 Endy Willian, 3 Pedro Bengaló, 4 Lucas Piero, 5 Mauricio Canterle, 6 Arthur Bergo, 7 Cléber Dias, 8 André Arruda, 9 Matheus Cruz, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Stefano Giantorno, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery (capt.), 14 De Wet van Niekerk, 15 Daniel Sancery

Replacements: 16 Yan Rosetti, 17 Lucas Abud, 18 Caíque Silva, 19 Alexandre Alves, 20 Matheus Daniel, 21 Douglas Rauth, 22 Lucas Tranquez, 23 Lucas Muller

Date: Saturday, November 25
Venue: Estadio El Pantano, Villajoyosa
Kickoff: 16:00 local (10:00 Eastern, 13:00 Brasilia)
Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU)
Assistants: Kieran Barry (IRFU) & Ken Imbusch (IRFU)
Broadcasts: Brazil Rugby TV, RTVE Stream