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Week 1 of the English Premiership was one for the record books. Leicester Tigers dumped their coach Matt O’Connor after just one round with former club stalwart and Irish international Geordan Murphy now in charge.
The Tigers are England’s most successful club of all time. Nonetheless Americas Rugby News is not picking the club to succeed this season. To see the predictions for the 2018-19 season click here.
The opening match of Week 2 will be on Friday. In the only fixture the Northampton Saints play host to Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens. Named on the bench for the Quins is Paul Lasike. The USA Eagle made his debut last weekend, completing his successful move from the Utah Warriors.
Santiago Cordero continues on the wing for Exeter Chiefs on Saturday after an impressive start to the season against Leicester. Exeter will face another English powerhouse this week in Wasps, who are set to debut two Super Rugby stars in Brad Shields and Lima Sopoaga.
Leicester will look to rebound against Newcastle, while Saracens host Bristol with one Americas player in their lineup. Juan Figallo’s injury means that Titi Lamositele comes in on the bench as backup tighthead prop, a position he looks set to cover until Figallo returns.
Mariano Galarza again runs out for Gloucester in the second row after his strong showing last week. Bath do not have his country-mate Lucas Noguera Paz in their lineup, choosing instead to debut South African import Jacques van Rooyen from the bench.
Sunday’s lone match will feature a pair of US Eagles playing on opposite sides. AJ MacGinty runs out for Sale Sharks in his usual flyhalf position. On the visiting bench will be hooker Joe Taufete’e who continues to be used as an impact sub for Worcester Warriors.
