Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Only one game in the Champions Cup takes place on Friday as Glasgow host Montpellier at Scotstoun. With no Greg Peterson in the Warriors lineup Americas fans will have to wait until Saturday to see their best take the field in Europe’s flagship club competition.
The good news is all five games on Saturday will feature at least one player from the Americas. Italo-Canadian No 8 Robert Barbieri packs down for Benetton Treviso against Scarlets, and Eagles prop Chris Baumann is on the bench for Leicester Tigers, hoping to make his Champions Cup debut against Munster.
His countryman Samu Manoa will play in the second row for Toulon against Bath. On the flank will be Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, with another Pumas loose forward in Facundo Isa named on the bench.
Los Teros fans will cast an eye on the match at the newly-renamed Stade Pierre Fabre (formerly Pierre Antoine) where Rodrigo Capó Ortega will lead Castres against Racing 92. Benjamín Urdapilleta starts at flyhalf for the home side. Capó Ortega will go head-to-head with Argentine lock Manuel Carizza, and Juan Imhoff is restored to his preferred wing position.
Northampton Saints will be hoping to get a home win at Franklin’s Gardens and have named Juan Pablo Estelles among the reserves. Canadian star Jeff Hassler is on the left wing for Ospreys, back in form after a concussion layoff and hoping to spoil the party.
Sunday will see Saracens looking to stop their slide with three Americas players in their match day squad. Chris Wyles and Marcelo Bosch start in the backline in their familiar 11 and 13 shirts respectively, and Juan Figallo will be a reserve prop against incoming Clermont.
