Can anyone catch Bristol? That’s the question being asked with nine rounds remaining in the 2017-18 Greene King IPA Championship season. The removal of the playoff system means that only regular season points count, and the hot favorites are thus far unbeaten Championship play and nine points clear of their closest rivals Ealing.
Bedford Blues will have the next shot at the kingpins and will travel to their daunting fortress of Ashton Gate on Saturday. Two Americas players will take part for the Blues, Canadian flanker Justin Blanchet and incoming Eagles flyhalf Will Hooley.
Before that, however, are three matches of interest on Friday evening. A pair of already-capped USA internationals will have a role to play. Dino Waldren is a reserve prop for London Scottish this week against Ealing and Ronnie McLean runs out in the midfield for Richmond against Jersey Reds.
The only other Americas players are found in the Cornish Pirates backline. Nicolás Coronel is named on the left wing against Rotherham Titans with countrymate Nicolás de Battista occupying his usual position at inside center.