Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Europe’s flagship club competition kicks off on Friday evening when Leicester Tigers travel north to play Glasgow Warriors. The best clubs in the Aviva Premiership, Top 14, and Guinness Pro 12 will all vie for one of the most coveted prizes in world rugby – the Champions Cup. Americas players will play a major role all season, with 13 spread across various games this weekend.
Bruno Postiglioni is handed his first start of the season for Zebre at loosehead prop as they travel to England to play Wasps on Saturday. Shane O’Leary will have a bench seat for Connacht who host Toulouse at the Sportsground in Galway. DTH van der Merwe wings in for Scarlets against Sale who are resting AJ MacGinty this week, and Castres travel to the RDS to face Leinster with Rodrigo Capó Ortega leading the side from his usual lock position and Benjamín Urdapilleta at flyhalf.
No less than five Americas players will take part in the biggest match of the weekend at Stade Félix Mayol. Samu Manoa starts at lock and Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe on the flank for famed French side Toulon. Defending champions Saracens meanwhile field Juan Figallo at tighthead prop, Chris Wyles on the left wing, and Marcelo Bosch at outside centre. Toulon, winners of three consecutive European titles from 2012-2015, will be looking to make an immediate impression on the new season having been knocked out in the quarter-finals by Racing 92 last season.
Speaking of Racing 92, they will have two Pumas veterans in their run-on side. Manuel Carizza will play lock and Juan Imhoff the left wing against Munster. Clermont Auvergne travel to Sandy Park where Exeter Chiefs await. Patricio Fernández is set to make his European debut as a replacement this week.
