Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The penultimate round of the French Top 14 season will be played on Saturday, and Sunday. Teams are competing for places in the play off’s as well as survival from the dreaded threat of relegation. Involved are to be a number of Americas’ players. The following preview details those involved from the region.
In the opening match Agen host Castres. The home side need points to be safe from possible relegation. For the visitors a win will help the defending champions significantly as they look to secure a spot in the play-off’s.
RWC 2019 hopefuls from Canada and Argentina will start. Taylor Paris will play wing for Castres, and Benjamín Urdapilleta fly half. Playing flanker for Agen will be Argentine hooker Facundo Bosch.
Already confirmed as dropping to the Pro D2 are Perpignan. The Catalans are to play at home against Racing 92, a side overflowing with talent but one to have hit bumps in the road this season. Starting on the left wing will be Juan Imhoff, the player many deem to be Argentina’s best back.
Strugglers Pau and Grenoble meet in a must-win fixture for both. Involved for the home side will be Argentine prop Ignacio Calles as a replacement.
Another Argentine prop will feature for Lyon. Francisco Gómez Kodela will start at tight head against La Rochelle. Both clubs have been having tremendous seasons and are well placed to compete for the ultimate prize in French rugby.
Week 25 of the Top 14 will also see three Sunday matches. They are to be Montpellier vs Stade Français, Bordeaux vs Toulouse, and Toulon vs Clermont. All three are expected to involve players from the Americas. Line-up’s for these fixtures will be announced on Saturday afternoon.
