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The final match of the Cara Cup Series takes place at Harvard’s Roberto A. Mignone Field on Sunday as the New England Free Jacks face Irish provincial outfit Leinster ‘A’. Boston’s soon-to-be Major League Rugby expansion side have dropped their previous matches against Connacht, Ulster, and Munster, and their next opponents are unlikely to offer their hosts any respite.
There are three changes to the Free Jacks side that lined up opposite Munster last Saturday. Only one is in the pack, where tighthead prop Dolph Botha misses out and Quentin Newcomer stands in for his first start. Devin Ibanez replaces Aaron Cummings as flanker cover on the bench.
An impressive cameo as a replacement has earned former NOLA Gold danger man Peceli Rinakama a spot in the run-on side. He’ll occupy the right wing spot and there is another new name with MLR experience at inside center. Austin Elite flyhalf Timothée Guillimin has followed Simon Courcoul to New England and starts in a new jersey and new position.
Leinster are in exactly the same configuration that defeated Munster in a thrilling 53-49 match on Wednesday. Ireland age-grade internationals are scattered throughout the side with the front row all u20 caps as well as the potent midfield combination of Gavin Mullin and Jimmy O’Brien.
A short six-man bench contains one name of note to American fans. Hawaiian prop Roman Salanoa, a USA u20 representative, is now in his second season in Ireland and could well be a target for MLR sides next season with selectors eyeing a potential future Eagles cap.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 10pm GMT. The match will be broadcast exclusively on NESN.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Simon Courcoul, 2 Steven Hinshaw, 3 Quentin Newcomer, 4 Jackson Thiebes, 5 Ronan McCusker, 6 Owen Hundt, 7 Jon Kokinda, 8 Conor Kindregan, 9 Oliver Engelhart, 10 Tadhg Leader (capt.), 11 Stephen Dazzo, 12 Timothée Guillimin, 13 Ahmad Harajly, 14 Peceli Rinakama, 15 Danny Collins
Replacements: 16 Dave McKenna, 17 Diego Maquieira, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Pago Haini, 20 Devin Ibanez, 21 Erik Thompson, 22 Adnan Kawuma, 23 Christian Adams
LEINSTER ‘A’
1 Vakhtang Abdaladze, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Jack Aungier, 4 Gerard Hill, 5 Ryan Baird, 6 Dan Sheehan, 7 Mark Flemming, 8 Ruadhan Byron, 9 Paddy Patterson, 10 Conor Kelly, 11 Rob Russell, 12 Gavin Mullin, 13 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Aaron O’Sullivan, 15 Jack Kelly (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Guiseppe Coyne, 17 Roman Salanoa, 18 Shane Murphy, 19 James Tarrant, 20 Brian O’Donnell, 21 Max O’Reilly
Date: Sunday, April 14
Venue: Roberto A. Mignone Field, Boston
Kickoff: 17:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 22:00 GMT)
Broadcasts: NESNplus
