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Professional rugby makes its return to Torero Stadium on Saturday evening. Two teams whose Major League Rugby preparations have contrasted greatly will square off in the main event of a double-header. A college match between Cal Poly and San Diego State begins at 5pm local with the San Diego Legion taking on the Houston SaberCats immediately following at 7pm.
It’s just the second preseason tilt for the Legion, who defeated Austin Elite in Round Rock two weeks ago. With several names missing – a handful on Eagles duty in Hong Kong – there are opportunities given to some different names this week including seven making their first appearance in a Legion shirt.
A pair of South Africans are named in the starting lineup. Free State prop Dolph Botha arrives to bolster the scrum and athletic No8 Lance Lamprecht also joins up, though he’ll have to settle for a spot in the second row as Cam Dolan moves back to his preferred position. Mungo Mason shifts over to the flank and Devin Short gets a chance to start on the other side of the scrum.
Eagles loosehead prop Tony Purpura gets to start this week with Gil Covey shoved over one spot to hooker. There are five forwards on the bench including two newcomers in former High School All-Americans and San Diego Mustangs teammates Aaron Mitchell and Drew Gaffney. Mitchell, a prop, returns after an impressive stint as an offensive lineman with the Fresno State football team while Gaffney was a standout with the UCal Golden Bears.
The backline is nearly the same with only one change. Eagles Sevens cap Anthony Welmers steps in for Dylan Audsley at fullback. A familiar name is named as a replacement. Collegiate All-American and Sacramento Express fullback Garrett Brewer suits up beside Junior All-American midfielder Sione Letoi, both arriving from local Division 1 club OMBAC.
Houston have also had a week off to recuperate following their draw against the NOLA Gold. They have made seven changes to their starting lineup with an eye to keeping everyone sharp after a long preseason shift that has seen them play 10 games already in 2018.
Jake Turnbull and Lindsey Stevens rotate into the front row with Justin Allen replacing Charlie Hewitt at lock. Kyle Sumsion gets a rest so Matt Trouville takes over the captaincy and Chris Coyle is in on the blindside flank. Hewitt, Sumsion, and Pago Haini are all named on the bench.
There are two changes in the backs. Connor Murphy sits out so Chris Slater makes his first start at scrumhalf. Alex Elkins returns on the wing in place of Malacchi Esdale. Reserve midfielder Dan Paul returns to the match day squad having missed out on the game in New Orleans.
On paper this is a fascinating contest but the Legion won’t be in full stride given the number of new additions to the squad. Houston on the other hand must prove their ability to win on the road after a disappointing performance against the Gold. If they stay focused their experience together could be the difference against their talent-rich hosts.
At this time there is no live broadcast scheduled.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Tony Purpura, 2 Gil Covey, 3 Dolph Botha, 4 Lance Lamprecht, 5 Jay Harmon, 6 Mungo Mason, 7 Devin Short, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 10 Tadhg Leader, 11 Nick Evans, 12 Ben Cima, 13 Anthony Salaber, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 15 Anthony Welmers
Replacements: 16 Josh Zamudio, 17 Tasi Toilolo, 18 Aaron Mitchell, 19 Sione Tu’ihalamaka, 20 Chris Turori, 21 Drew Gaffney, 22 Sione Letoi, 23 Garrett Brewer
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Justin Allen, 5 Robert Meeson, 6 Chris Coyle, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Matt Trouville (capt.), 9 Chris Slater, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Alex Elkins, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Replacements: 16 Diego Maquieira, 17 Adam Macklin, 18 Petey Hepburn, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Pago Haini, 22 Kieran Farmer, 23 Dan Paul
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 19:00 local (22:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: n/a
