Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Through five rounds of European competition just two teams remain undefeated. Saracens are making their claim for a third title in four years as they sport the best record in the Champions Cup, with a perfect five wins from five. Their win over Lyon on the weekend guarantees a Quarter Final spot for the club with Americas trio Juan Figallo, Titi Lamositele, and Marcelo Bosch all in line to contribute.
Racing 92, with Juan Imhoff on the wing, edged Scarlets to take the lead in Pool 4 and sit two points back of Saracens overall. Edinburgh stunned Toulon, becoming just the third team to win a European match at Félix Mayol. They are now on the verge of their first Quarter Final appearance since 2012. Irish provinces Leinster and Munster continue to head up their pools with Ulster also in the race for a knock-out spot as one of the top three second-place sides.
Meanwhile in the Challenge Cup French giants Clermont Auvergne have secured the maximum 25 points from their five games. Fijian star Peceli Yato continues his tremendous form with Argentine flyhalf Patricio Fernández given just a brief cameo off the bench in the high-scoring win over Northampton. The 48-40 win clinched Pool 1 and guaranteed a home Quarter Final for Clermont.
Joe Taufete’e and Worcester Warriors are also certain of a home Quarter Final thanks to a dramatic last-gasp drop goal from Ryan Mills to beat Ospreys 20-18. It will be Worcester’s first taste of European knock-out rugby in a decade. Sale and Connacht are in a dead heat in Pool 3 with 17 points each while Harlequins and Benetton Treviso are within a point of each other in Pool 5 with both facing road games in their final pool match this coming weekend.
