Americas Players in British & Irish Cup – Round 2

Cam Dolan starts in the second row for Cardiff Blues Selects against Jersey Reds in St. Peter on Friday afternoon. The US Eagles forward has seen only spotty game time with the senior Blues side this season and will welcome a chance to get a competitive run-out ahead of the November internationals. Elsewhere it’s a similarly slim outlook for Americas players in Round 2 of the British & Irish Cup with only four others handed starting roles.

London Welsh hand Canadian no8 Aaron Carpenter just his second start of the season as they welcome Rotherham Titans to Old Deer Park. World Cup teammate Ciaran Hearn is a reserve for London Irish against Connacht Eagles, and Justin Blanchet starts at openside flank for Bedford Blues as they face off against Yorkshire Carnegie.

Former Canada u20 hooker Richard Townsend makes his first professional division start since October 2013 for Richmond who travel to Wales where Scarlets Selects await, and Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba is one of two Argentines taking part in the competition this weekend, albeit as a reserve for Ealing Trailfinders against Newport Gwent Dragons.

The other South American is Nicolas de Battista, who is recalled to the Cornish Pirates midfield for the match against Ospreys Selects at the Mennaye on Sunday. Canadian fullback Matt Evans is given a weekend off but Brett Beukeboom will dress among the the reserves.