Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Americas had players from Argentine, Canada, Chile and Uruguay involved in Europe’s elite over the weekend in the latest round of the European Champions Cup. Of them, Argentines left their mark. Round two action featured matches played in England, France, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland and South Africa. The competing teams were from the English Premiership, French Top 14 and the United Rugby Championship (URC).
| FRIDAY |
The Sale Sharks were 29-7 winners at home over Racing 92 on Friday. Diego Escobar wrote history by becoming the first Chilean to play in the Champions Cup. Escobar was Racing 92’s replacement hooker. He entered in the 68th minute. Pumas tight head prop Lucio Sordoni started for Racing 92.
Castres were 16-14 home winners over the 2006 and 2008 Champions, Munster. Canadian Tyler Ardron played the full 80 minutes for Castres. Uruguayan Santiago Arata was a replacement; he entered in the 51st minute.
| SATURDAY |
In Belfast, Northern Ireland Ulster were handsomely beaten. The home side fell to a 40-19 defeat against Bordeaux. Guido Petti put in an 80 minute performance for Bordeaux and was a try scorer.
Down in the Republic of Ireland, Leinster were 15-7 winners over a reshuffled Clermont. Benjamín Urdapilleta was a replacement but had a busy match. The Rugby World Cup 2019 Puma came on in the 17th minute to replace former All Black George Moala who defected to Tonga.
South African teams in the European Champions Cup is lunacy but, nonetheless, is the reality. The Sharks from Durban were eaten alive by the Leicester Tigers. The English side won 56-17 with Puma Julián Montoya scoring the first and second tries.
2022 and 2023 Champions La Rochelle were 35-7 winners over the Bristol Bears. Puma Santiago Grondona started at flanker for the Bristol Bears. His brother, Benjamín Grondona was a 55th minute replacement, coming on to play N8. Fellow uncapped Argentine, Benjamin Elizalde started at full-back and had a try assist.
The Harlequins ran riot against South African side the Stormers. The Quins were 53-16 winners in London. Puma Rodrigo Isgró played right wing for the home side.
| SUNDAY |
Benetton edged Bath in Treviso, Italy on Sunday. The 22-21 win came with uncapped Argentine Bautista Bernasconi scoring the match-winner in the 79th minute. He was a replacement while Tomás Albornoz played fly half and Thomas Gallo featured as a replacement. Albornoz converted a first-half try.
Saracens were 28-17 winners over Stade Français in Paris. The Parisians had one player send-off and two others yellow carded. Lucio Cinti played the full 80 minutes at outside center for Saracens while Juan Martín González featured from the bench.
Toulon were 30-29 winners over the Glasgow Warriors. The Scottish side scored with time up for a flattering scoreline. Puma Facundo Isa was Man of the Match for Toulon.
The final fixture of the weekend saw the Exeter Chiefs hosting reigning champions Toulouse. The visitors hammered the hoss, winning 64-21. Santiago Chocobares played the full-match tag inside center for Toulouse while Juan Cruz Mallía started on the right wing.
