Americas Players in Aviva Premiership – Week 9

New US Eagles cap Nick Civetta is poised to make his Premiership debut on Friday evening. The tall second row has been named as a replacement for Newcastle Falcons when they travel to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Northampton Saints. It will be the second senior Falcons appearance for Civetta, having made his first against Ospreys in the Challenge Cup match on October 14. Juan Pablo Socino will start for Newcastle in his regular position of inside center.

Also in action on Friday is  prop Gastón Cortes, who returns to the Bristol starting lineup at tighthead to face Leicester Tigers. The all-Argentine confrontation in the front row is not to be, however, as Marcos Ayerza has been ruled out for 2-3 weeks with an ankle injury suffered against Harlequins last weekend.

Moving ahead to Sunday, Saracens will again field all four of their Americas players against Gloucester. Chris Wyles and Marcelo Bosch will start at left wing and outside center respectively, while prop duo Titi Lamositele and Juan Figallo will each play a reserve role. Mariano Galarza continues in the second row for visiting Gloucester.

Also on Sunday AJ MacGinty will look to steer Sale Sharks to victory as they travel to the Ricoh Arena to play Wasps. The pride of St. Lucia, Marland Yarde, is again on the right wing for Harlequins when they host Bath at The Stoop.