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The sixth and final round of the Challenge Cup pool stages takes places this weekend. The round will confirm the Quarter Finals play-off’s for the 2017-2018 competition.
The opening match of the round will be Gloucester hosting Pau. The Trinidad & Tobago born Steffon Armitage starts in the back-row while Ignacio Calles has been named as a replacement. The 22-year-old former Argentine u20’s player will have an opportunity for game time.
Playing in Russia on Saturday will be Santiago Socino. The uncapped Argentine hooker has been named on the bench for the Newcastle Falcons. The English side are to use him in his former position of flanker against Siberia club Enisei-TSM. Argentine Federico Torres Giliberti starts on the wing for the Russians.
In West Ireland Connacht host Top 14 strugglers Oyonnax. The French side have named 2016 Olympian Axel Müller at fullback for the match. Usually a winger, the Argentine 7’s flier is set for a new challenge. It comes on the same day that Los Jaguares have a fullback as their new captain.
In Italy Zebre play host to Agen. The Guinness Pro 14 side have former Argentina XV prop Eduardo Bello, starting there match at Tight Head. Given Argentina’s bleak shortage of players in the position at home it is an ideal means of Bello to press for higher honors. He is due to return to Argentina before the June Internationals.
In France Lyon host the Cardiff Blues. The match is to have an Americas battle on one wing as Delon Armitage starts for Lyon and Blaine Scully does so for the Welsh region. Armitage is, like his brother, from Trinidad & Tobago. Both are capped by England. Scully is the captain of the USA.
Completing the final round will be a France vs Scotland capital club fixture. Stade Français are at home against Edinburgh in Paris. Argentine-Italian Sergio Parisse is to feature as a replacement forward.
