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All players from the Americas have been eliminated from the Aviva Premiership. As a result of today’s Semi Finals in England the Final, to be played on May 27, will feature no players from the Americas. Either the Wasps or Exeter Chiefs will win the English title, neither currently have players from the Americas on their rosters.
The Exeter Chiefs secured their place in the final by virtue of a last minute 18-16 win over Saracens. The upset result ended the season for Marcelo Bosch, Juan Figallo, Titi Lamositele and Chris Wyles.
In the second Semi Final the Wasps fought back to also claim a late victory, downing the Leicester Tigers 21-20. The club recently saw the retirement of Marcos Ayerza due to injury. He and former Puma Tomás Leonardí were on the Tiger’s roster this season.
Both the Exeter Chiefs and Wasps have been home to players from the Americas in the past. Notable names to have played for these clubs in the past include Gonzalo Camacho and Ignacio Mieres (Exeter Chiefs) and Paul Emerick, Gareth Rees and the Late Norm Hadley (Wasps).
In the 2016 Aviva Premiership Bosch, Figallo and Wyles were all winners. The latter of the two also won in 2015. Having lost the 2013 Samu Manoa won the 2014 Final for Northampton. Tomás Vallejos Cinalli won with Harlequins in 2012, defeating Leicester whom had Horacio Agulla and Marcos Ayerza. Both Pumas also lost the prior year against Saracens who had Wyles on the wing.
Going back further the pattern is similar. Players from the Americas have been involved in both winning and losing sides. 2017 sees this ended.
