Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Pro D2 continues in France with Week 3 taking place from Thursday to Sunday. The competition is important for many countries who will playing RWC 2019. From the Americas the qualified Uruguay and USA both have hopefuls involved in the league. The same is true of Canada, a country set to face three others in the Repechage Finals in November.
Opening Week 3 will be Biarritz vs Brive. In the only Thursday fixture two familiar foes from years of competition in the Top 14 sides will battle it out. Both have ambitions of earning promotion back to France’s elite level.
Friday opens with Bourg en Bresse vs Aix en Provence. The fixture will see two Argentine tighthead props starting on opposing teams. Victor Damian Arias starts for Bourg en Bresse while Leandro Mario Assi does so for Aix en Provence.
Veteran fullback Martín Bustos Moyano starts for Bayonne away to Massy. The former Puma has previously kicked Bayonne into the Top 14. Can he do so again this season? Chilean prop Ramón Ayarza has been named on the bench.
In Central France Aurillac play host to Carcassonne. The visitors have named a strong line-up which includes Argentine Demian Panizzo. He starts in the second-row.
Further north Charente face Montauban. The home side acquired Chilean Pablo Huete this week from Dax. He will make not play on Friday. In the team is Joel Sclavi. The Argentine prop will feature as a replacement.
Argentina and Canada will have starting players in Vannes vs Nevers. Taking to the field for Vannes will be Javier Lagioiosa in the second-row. Conor Trainor will play outside center for Nevers.
Playing at home Colomiers have named two Argentine players to start against Oyonnax. Agustín Costa Repetto will play hooker while Sebastián Poet starts at fly half. The later has been linked to a move to Los Jaguares next season.
Week 3 of the Pro D2 season will conclude on Sunday. The final fixtures sees Mont de Marsan at home against Béziers. Players from the Americas are highly likely to play in the match. Line-up’s, though, will not be named until Saturday afternoon.
