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The Greene King IPA Championship is nearly in holiday mode now that Bristol have clinched the title and Rotherham are bound for the drop. With just two rounds left it’s only bragging rights up for grabs and a final ranking for those concerned with academics.
Bristol celebrated their promotion at their final home match of the season against Doncaster on Friday. Gastón Cortes celebrated what is likely his final match with the club with a try in the 68-10 smashing of Doncaster in front of 13,100 in attendance at Ashton Gate. Also reaching the tryline was former UBC flanker Sam Jeffries. On the wrong end of the beating was Eagles lock Nick Civetta.
Five more matches are ahead on Saturday, three of them featuring Americas players. A pair of Eagles internationals will play opposite each other at the Athletic Ground derby. Richmond will have Ronnie McLean in the midfield while London Scottish starts Dino Waldren at tighthead prop. Both teams play their home games at the same venue.
Shane O’Leary will start at flyhalf for Ealing Trailfinders against Hartpury. His Canada teammate Djustice Sears-Duru is again absent from the lineup and may have already played his last game at the club. O’Leary is also destined for new digs next season having already signed for Nottingham.
The main event of the weekend is undoubtedly at Goldington Road where the Bedford Blues host Cornish Pirates with third place on the line. Justin Blanchet starts on the flank for the home side and Will Hooley is at flyhalf. Manning the ship for the Pirates are Canadians Brett Beukeboom and Matt Evans, with Nicolás de Battista captain again in the midfield and fellow Argentine Nicolás Coronel on the bench.
