Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The 2018-2019 Top 14 season begins on Saturday. The richest and league in rugby will see six matches played on Saturday and one on Sunday to open the season. Involved are to be players from the Americas. Below is a preview outlining the involvement from the Western Hemisphere.
The season opening fixture will be played in Perpignan. The promoted USAP host 2015 champions, Stade Français. Playing for the Parisians will be Argentine-Italian Sergio Parisse at no 8 and Puma Ramiro Herrera at Tight Head. Nicolás Sánchez is to join the club in December.
Herrera has been requested by Mario Ledesma for the Rugby Championship. His involvement remains unconfirmed with Juan Figallo (Saracens) playing Tight Head for the time being. Another possibility is Francisco Goméz Kodela who will start for Lyon against Toulouse on Saturday. Also playing in the match will be Delon Armitage. Capped by England he was born in Trinidad & Tobago.
In Central France Clermont play host to Agen. Patricio Fernández will be Clermont’s replacement fly half for the match. Missing for Agen is Facundo Bosch who is to make his test debut on Saturday for Argentina against South Africa. Involved will be the USA eligible Dave Ryan who starts at Tight Head.
On the Mediterranean coast Toulon welcome Racing 92. Toulon lost Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe to retirement but he is now on the apaching staff. His RWC 2011 and 2015 teammate, Juan Imhoff will start on the left wing for Racing 92.
Week 1 of the Top 14 will conclude on Sunday. The final fixture of the opening round sees a repeat of the 2018 Final. Montpellier will be seeking revenge against Castres and are to have home advantage. Line-ups for the match are not to be finalized until Saturday afternoon. Canadian Taylor Paris, Argentine Benjamín Urdapilleta, and Uruguayan Rodrigo Capó Ortega are all possibilities for the match.
