Americas Players Secure European Semi Finals

The final four of Europe have been decided. This weekend saw the Quarter Finals of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup played. Americas players were involved in winning efforts.

CHAMPIONS CUP

United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders Leinster went into their home Semi Final as firm favorites. They did not disappoint; the Irish province hammered the Leicester Tigers 55-24. Argentine captain Julián Montoya started at hooker for the English Premiership side. He suffered an early blow to the head.

Montoya’s teammate, Juan Cruz Mallía was on fire for Toulouse on Saturday. The Puma ran in two tries in Toulouse’s 54-20 win over the Sharks. USA prop David Ainu’u entered as a second-half replacement to play tight head. Mallía played wing. He has been fly half this season, center in past seasons and is Argentina’s first choice fullback.

Defending champions La Rochelle defeated Saracens on Sunday. As was the case in the 2022 winning effort, Puma Joel Sclavi was a replacement for La Rochelle. The French side eliminated the English team 24-10. La Rochelle will face the Exeter Chiefs in the second Semi Final. That match will be in Bordeaux, France. Leinster have home advantage against Toulouse in Dublin, Ireland.

CHALLENGE CUP 

The Scarlets ensured that Wales will be involved in European Semi Finals. The team from West Wales defeated Clermont 32-30 to book their spot. Pumas winger Bautista Delguy was a replacement for the French club. The Scarlets seals home advantage in Llanelli for their Semi Final.

The all-French battle between Toulon and Lyon saw the former completing a comprehensive 48-23 victory. Facundo Isa showed yet again why he is in the form of his life. The N8 from Santiago del Estero wants to not only play at the World Cup but start. Francisco Gómez Kodela started at tight head for Lyon. With the win Toulon will have home advantage in the Semi Finals.

Scotland’s largest city played host to an all-URC Quarter Final. The Glasgow Warriors came out on top, beating the Lions from Johannesburg 31-21. The match was the latest in which Domingo Miotti started at fly half for Glasgow. Despite not appearing for Argentina in 2022, his form will be noted by Los Pumas coaching staff. Glasgow will face the Scarlets in the Semi Final.

History was made in Treviso on Saturday. Benetton were 27-23 winners against Cardiff. This marked the first time ever that an Italian side has qualified for a European Semi Final. Benetton won with Puma Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro starting at loose head prop and Argentina come Italian representative Juan Ignacio Brex playing outside center. The bench included Pumas Tomás Albornoz and Thomas Gallo. Benetton will travel to France to face Toulon in the Final Four.