Pro D2 – Week 20 Preview

The Pro D2 resumes today. In the latest round of the French second division matches are to be played on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. With the regular season having 30 regular rounds Week 20 marks the conclusion of two-thirds of league matches in the 2018-2019 campaign.

Opening Week 20 will be Oyonnax at home against Mont de Marsan. Uruguay’s Manuel Leindekar will start in the second-row for the home side opposite the Italian capped Argentine Leandro Cedaro. Agustín Ormaechea will play scrum-half for Mont de Marsan, giving the game two starting Teros. Also involved will be Argentine props Jerónimo Negrotto and Carlos Muzzio. The former will start with the latter to feature from the bench.

Opening the Friday fixtures will be Bourg en Bresse on the road to Charente.  Starting for the home side will be Argentine Joel Sclavi at tight head prop. Also involved will be Pablo Huete. The Chilean has been named as a replacement.

Starting on the left wing for Brive will be Axel Muller. The club will be looking for a strong evening from the star former Los Pumas 7’s player as Brive are in search of the maximum against strugglers Massy.

Also in danger this season are Colomiers. The former finalists of the European Champions Cup will be at home against Vannes. Starting at fly half will be Sebastián Poet. The former Puma will be accompanied by Agustín Costa Repetto and Martín Chiappesoni as forwards replacements.

Down in Basque country Bayonne entertain Carcassonne. Named out of position as the replacement hooker for Bayonne is Ramón Ayarza. Both he and Huete are among Chile’s finest. Both are presently not on ARC duty.

Friday’s final fixture sees Nevers hosting Biarritz. The match will see the involvement of Canadian test mid-fielder Conor Trainor. He has been named to start for Nevers at outside center.

Completing Week 20 will be Aurlliac vs Béziers on Sunday. Line-ups for this match will be released on Saturday afternoon.