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Round 20 of the Guinness Pro 12 will be played this weekend. After this weekend there are to be only two further rounds of play. As such it is vital to many sides pushing for places in the play-off’s and qualifying spots for next season’s European Champions Cup. A host of Americas players are to feature, from both north and south.
The opening match of round 20 sees the Glasgow Warriors at home to Zebre. The Scots are already assured of their place in next season’s Champions Cup. An appearance in this season’s play-off’s looks out of the question but not altogether impossible.
Looking to see Glasgow through will be Eagles second-rower, Greg Peterson. The USA international will start in his favored position this weekend. The opposing side will have former Pumas Guillermo Roan and Bruno Postiglioni as the starting props. The uncapped Serafin Bordoli will play flyhalf.
The Welsh capital will take center stage on Saturday. The Millennium Stadium is to host Judgement Day V, a celebration of the four regions. This sees Welsh players at the forefront which means regulars from the Americas are on the bench of missing out this weekend. Those involved are to be Canadians DTH van der Merwe and Tyler Ardron as replacements for the Scarlets and Ospreys respectively.
The first of two Saturday Irish derbies sees the southern province of Munster hosting the northern province of Ulster. US-eligible Callum Black will feature for the visitors. He has been named on the bench. Connacht host Leinster in the other all-Irish match.
The one non-derby on Saturday will be that of Treviso vs Edinburgh. With Zebre entering round 20 on 18 points, three more than that of Treviso, this is a must-win fixture for the north-eastern Italian side. They have responded by naming a strong lineup. Starting at No 8 will be Canadian-Italian Robert Barbieri. Edinburgh have named a weakened side.
