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Round 4 of the Challenge Cup got underway on Thursday evening with two matches. Both matches had the involvement of the Americas.
In England’s west country Bath played host to the Cardiff Blues. The Aviva Premiership side proved to be far too strong for the out-of-sorts Welsh region. A compressive 38-3 win underlines the English side as a team with title ambitions. Playing wing for the Cardiff Blues was Blaine Scully. The Californian left early with a concussion.
In Paris Stade Français gained revenge on Edinburgh for round 3’s narrow defeat. The 26-20 win included Sergio Parisse at No 8. The Argentine-Italian is now in his final season being coached by Gonzalo Quesada.
Action will continue today with three matches. In France Brive will welcome Russian club Enisei. Scully’s Eagles teammate, Taku Ngwenya will be involved. Ngwenya has been named to start on the right wing.
At Newport’s Rodney Parade the Dragons host Worcester. Having been thumped last weekend the Welsh region are looking to bounce back. They will be up against Connor Braid. The Canadian fly half is coming off a superb performance at his new home os Sixways last weekend.
Another Canadian will play in Friday’s third fixture. Matt Tierney has been named as a replacement prop for Pau. With the club well and truly focusing on the Top 14 and not the Challenge Cup the club was willing to field a weakened side last weekend. Bristol will be looking to make it consecutive victories. They will take to the field with Gastón Cortes at Tight Head prop and Threaten Palamo at outside center.
Treviso host Bayonne in the first of four Saturday fixtures. Having won away last weekend spirits in Italy are running high. Bayonne, like Pau, has shown where its priorities sit as avoiding Top 14 relegation remains the target. Chilean forwards Ramón Ayarza and Pablo Huete will both play from the bench. Starting at No 8 for Treviso will be Robert Barbieri. The Canadian is capped by Italy.
The Ospreys were extremely impressive in round three. On Saturday they will have a prime opportunity to move towards the play-off’s. The Welsh region will have former USA junior Hanno Dirksen on the bench. Starting at flanker will be the Ohio born Sam Underhill. Dirksen turned down selection for the USA at Rugby World Cup 2011 to try to play for Wales. He remains uncapped.
The Ospreys ambitions are matches by those of the Harlequins. The London-based Quins will be targeting a bonus point win this weekend. They play host to Romanian side Timisoara. Starting on the wing for the English side will be Caribbean flier Marland Yarde.
La Rochelle have been rising a wave of upset wins in the Top 14 this season. The club’s home record has been particularly noteworthy. Visiting La Rochelle this weekend will be Gloucester. Both teams are to have Argentine second-row replacements in the form of Leandro Cedaro and Mariano Galarza.
Wee 4 will come to a close in Northern England. The Newcastle Falcons will host Lyon in the final fixture. Sunday’s match is to involve five players from the Americas. Eagle Nick Civetta will play second-row for Newcastle. Joining him will be Juan Pablo Socino at inside center while Belisario Agulla will cover from the bench. Agustín Figuerola will play scrum half for Lyon.
Also involved will be Andrés Zafra. The Colombian second-rower will play from the bench for Lyon. In doing so history will be made as Zafra becomes his country’s first player to play professionally in there European league.
