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Week 26 of the Pro D2 starts today. The latest round of France’s second division sees matches played from Thursday to Sunday. There is a lot to look out for from an Americas perspective. To narrow it down the following preview is an overview of the players involved.
In breaking from tradition there is to be just the one Thursday fixture in week 26. It is to be the battle of two former Top 14 champions, Perpignan and Biarritz. The latter of the two is coached by RWC 1999 and 2003 Puma Gonzalo Quesada. He coached Stade Français to the Top 14 title in 2015.
Week 26 will resume on Friday with six matches taking place. A notable battle to avoid relegation sees Dax hosting Carcassonne. The home side have named Uruguayan Felipe Berchesi at fly half and Argentine Martín Chiappessoni at flanker. Damian Panizzo starts for Carcassonne in the second-row.
Making his return from a long injury lay-off is Conor Trainor. The Canadian starts at center for Nevers who play away to Bayonne. Martín Bustos Moyano starts at fullback for the hosts while Chileans Pablo Huete and Ramón Ayarza are among the replacements.
Montauban has been near the top of the standings throughout the season. They will be looking to go back above Perpignan and Mont de Marsan when they host Charante. Starting at Tight Head for Montauban will be Victor Damian Arias, a former Argentina XV prop.
Points may be hard to come by for Mont de Marsan who are away on Friday to Vannes. Mont de Marsan have named Carlos Muzzio at Loose Head and Jerónimo Negrotto at Tight Head, giving them a pairing of Argentine props. Eagle Eric Fry starts opposite Negrotto for Vannes while Javier Lagioiosa also starts, doing so in the second-row.
Named as Colomiers’ replacement hooker is veteran Agustín Costa Repetto. The former Puma will do so against the visiting Grenoble.
The final Pro D2 fixture of week 26 will be on Sunday. In a local derby Narbonne play host to Béziers. It is 16th (last) at home against 6th. An away win for Béziers will further the team’s push for a long-awaited return to the Top 14. Line-up’s for this match will be named on Saturday afternoon. Both clubs have players from the Americas.
