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The ‘Battle of Texas’ now has a trophy – the Texas Cup. Houston will host the Gilgronis in the first collision of the season between the two. The SaberCats hold all the cards in historical success, having won all three previous meetings against Austin.
Paul Healy watched his side recover from a slow start against New York last weekend only to fall at the final hurdle. He has made six changes to his starting side, three enforced.
Charlie Connolly and Victor Comptat are given the week off to recover so Boyd Wiggins starts at tighthead prop with Robert Meeson in the second row. Diego Magno returns after missing the RUNY game, rotating in for Cecil Garber on the flank. Game Romero makes his first appearance of the season as reserve hooker with Tim Cadwallader asked to cover prop.
Getting his first Major League Rugby start is former Eagles winger Tim Stanfill, who comes in on the left side with Zach Pangelinan switching to the right. Tiaan Loots returns at inside center and Matías Freyre moves up to No13 for the injured Thomas Morani. Osea Kolinisau is recalled at fullback.
The Gilgronis are celebrating the timely arrival of three internationals. Pele Cowley and Kurt Morath form a brand new halfback partnership with Morath handed the captaincy on debut. Will Magie settles for a spot on the bench in a backs division absent the injured Zinzan Elan-Puttick.
Up front it’s an identical starting pack and reserve group. Four players remain sidelined an unavailable for selection – Chris Schade, Wilton Rebolo, Rikus Zwart, and Michael de Waal. Luca Tani covers lock for a third straight game with flanker Stewart Morris having made his debut in a brief cameo last weekend.
With the new faces arrived and in key spots for the Gilgronis, this contest has become significantly more intriguing. Connolly and Comptat are key figures in the pack for Houston which further strength’s Austin’s case for a first win since 2018. On form however, both current and historical, it’s hard to look past Houston at home.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. The match will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN+. Those located outside the USA can access a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo, 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Boyd Wiggins, 4 Kyle Breytenbach, 5 Robert Meeson, 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Diego Magno, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 De Wet Roos (capt.), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Tim Stanfill, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Matías Freyre, 14 Zach Pangelinan, 15 Osea Kolinisau
Replacements: 16 Gabe Romero, 17 Nicolás Solveyra, 18 Tim Cadwallader, 19 Van Stewart, 20 Cecil Garber, 21 Taylor Howden, 22 Zachary Short, 23 Malacchi Esdale
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Tiaan Erasmus, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Potu Leavasa, 5 Maikeli Naromaitoga, 6 Dominic Akina, 7 Moe Abdelmonem, 8 Lino Saunitoga, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Kurt Morath (capt.), 11 Rodrick Waters, 12 Gabe Farley, 13 Frank Halai, 14 Corey Jones, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Replacements: 16 Brendan Rams, 17 LaRome White, 18 Juan Echeverría, 19 Luca Tani, 20 Stewart Morris, 21 Marcelo Torrealba, 22 Will Magie, 23 Sione Fangaiuiha
Date: Saturday, March 7
Venue: AVEVA Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Joey Swatzell (USA) & Greg Varnell (USA)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook
