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Old Glory are in search of their third straight victory when they head to Texas on Saturday night. The Dallas Jackals are waiting for them in Arlington, with eyes on spoiling DC’s plans and putting a halt to their own three-game losing streak.
Considering their record-setting start at as franchise, three games might seem a drop in the bucket to Dallas fans. This is a different Jackals side, however, who had shown resolve in defeat until an unsightly setback against the Seawolves last weekend.
Despite the poor performance Agustin Cavalieri has kept the faith in his forward pack. There are no changes to the starting group with the only alteration on the bench where flanker Cameron Nelson takes Maikeli Naromaitoga’s spot on the bench, leaving no specialist second row cover.
There are two changes in the backs. Lui Sitama and James Vaifale are out, with Alejandro Torres starting in the midfield and Aaron Gray on the wing. Vaifale is named as a reserve but there is no place for Sitama in the match day squad.
DC have enjoyed a week off after their impressive performance against Utah, which followed up another strong effort over New York. Both of those matches were at home, however, and Old Glory have lost all four matches in the road this season.
The only change to the starting lineup comes at fullback where Tito Diaz Bonilla replaces Kurt Baker, Gradyn Bowd retains the No10 shirt. Ramiro Herrera is tighthead prop reserve and there is a new name joining the bench in ex-Moana Pasifika flanker Niko Jones. A former New Zealand 7s representative, he qualifies for the Eagles through his US-born grandfather.
It looks to be a very warm evening which in theory should favor the home side though the visitors have the stronger bench. Both teams have opted for continuity but when it comes to form, it’s a no-contest. Old Glory’s travel troubles aren’t enough to wrestle away their favorites tag though the result shouldn’t be as lopsided as last year’s game on the East Coast.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers abroad.
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Nicolás Revol, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Lucas Bur, 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara (capt.), 7 Conrado Roura, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Pedro Imhoff, 10 Martín Elías, 11 Campbell Johnstone, 12 Alejandro Torres, 13 Tomás Malanos, 14 Aaron Gray, 15 Marcos Moroni
Replacements: 16 Liam Murray, 17 Connor Robinson, 18 Kyle Steeves, 19 Carson Shoemaker, 20 Cameron Nelson, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Juan Pablo Aguirre, 23 James Vaifale
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Collin Grosse, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 7 Lautaro Bavaro, 8 Langilangi Haupeakui, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Niko Jones, 20 Alejo Daireaux, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Owen Sheehy, 23 Marcos Young
Date: Saturday, May 6
Venue: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Andrew Low (USA) & Cole Jones (USA)
TMO: Scott Green (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-23 – Old Glory DC 50, Dallas Jackals 10 (Segra Field)
