Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Six Nations Championship comes to a close this weekend. While it takes center stage for the six member unions there is still club rugby being played. In France there is to be a full round of the Top 14. In week 21 the Americas will be represented by a host of players. The following is a preview detailing those involved.
The first player from the Americas to play in Week 21 of the Top 14 is Manuel Carizza. The Rosario enforcer starts in the second-row for Racing 92 who have home advantage against Stade Français in the battle of Paris.
Looking for another surprise upset win is Agen. They host the horribly out-of-sorts Bordeaux in Saturday’s second fixture. The USA eligible Dave Ryan starts the match at Tight Head for the hosts. Set to enter from the bench is Facundo Bosch, a former Jaguar.
8th placed La Rochelle hosts the 6th placed Lyon. Neither team are among the stereo-typical clubs to be in the running for a place in the play-off’s. Both are well-and-truly in for realistic shots. Looking to help Lyon win again is Delon Armitage, a player from Trinidad & Tobago.
In recent weeks Oyonnax have gone from minnows to giant killers. The club welcome Toulon on Saturday, one the most successful clubs in Europe over the past decade. Involved for Oyonnax will be 2016 Olympian Axel Muller as a replacement. Toulon have named Facundo Isa tho start at flanker. Meanwhile two big names from the Americas will cover for Toulon as replacement forwards. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe covers the back-row while Samu Manoa is covering the second-row.
In central France Clermont host Pau. The yellow army find their team some 12 points behind the 8th placed La Rochelle. The good news is that just six points separate Racing 92 in 2nd from La Rochelle in 8th. Looking to get a home win, Clermont have Patricio Fernández back from injury. He starts at fly half.
Week 21 will conclude on Sunday with two matches. They are to see Castres and Toulouse at home against Brive and Montpellier respectively. Line-ups for these matches are to be finalized on Saturday afternoon local time.
