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It’s a clash of the titans at Torero Stadium to wrap up the fifth week of the Major League Rugby season on Sunday late afternoon. In a rematch of last season’s pulsating Semi Final, Rugby United New York head west to take on the unbeaten San Diego Legion.
RUNY feature 10 of the same starters from that day but only five players who ran out for the eventual Finalists will do so again for San Diego. The team shows just four changes from the lineup that won in New Orleans, two each in the forwards and backs.
Both Ma’a Nonu and JP du Plessis are ruled out with injury but the Legion’s depth shows as two capped Eagles will form a new partnership. Dylan Audsley and Ryan Matyas man the midfield with Tira Patterson drafted in on the left wing. This is the first start of the season for Matyas.
Up front the only changes are in the front row. Jamie Dever gets his first start in San Diego colors at loosehead prop with Dean Muir rotating back in at hooker. Oti Pifeleti returns to act as Dever’s backup and Chris Turori makes his first appearance of the 2020 campaign as loose forward cover.
New York have made just two changes to the side that was successful in Houston. Charlie Hewitt is in recovery mode after last week’s battle leaving the side short at lock once again. Matt Wirken comes in to start with Kyle Sumsion acting as emergency cover from the bench.
The backline is virtually identical to the one that started last June with the exception of Marcus Walsh at scrumhalf. Mark O’Keeffe returns on the right wing in place of Quentin Pradère, and Mike St. Claire returns from Jamaica Sevens duty to make his first appearance of the season among the reserves.
This is undoubtedly the headliner of the weekend with both teams riding win streaks heading in. RUNY will be champing at the bit to redeem their narrow defeat last year but it’s a star-studded San Diego who will greet them even without Nonu and du Plessis. Give the Legion the favorites tag on home advantage in a match that is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the regular season.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local, 7pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on Fox 5 San Diego with ESPN+ airing the game nationwide. Those located outside the USA can access a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Dean Muir, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Joshua Furno, 6 Jasa Veremalua, 7 Psalm Wooching, 8 Keni Nasoqeqe, 9 Devereaux Ferris, 10 Luke Burton, 11 Tira Patterson, 12 Dylan Audsley, 13 Ryan Matyas, 14 Save Totovosau, 15 Joe Pietersen (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 Aaron Mitchell, 19 Siaosi Mahoni, 20 Chris Turori, 21 Devin Short, 22 Tai Enosa, 23 Josh Thiel
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Matt Wirken, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 James Denise, 8 Mathieu Bastareaud, 9 Marcus Walsh, 10 Cathal Marsh, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Chris Mattina, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Mark O’Keeffe, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Rob Irimescu, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Mike Petri, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Mike St. Claire
Date: Sunday, March 8
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 16:00 local (19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Lex Weiner (USA)
Assistants: Paul-Henri Courbier (USA) & Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook, Fox 5 San Diego
