Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Greene King IPA Championship takes a couple weeks off mirroring that of the top divisions but the clubs will still be in action in their own multi-national competition, the British & Irish Cup. Development sides from Guinness Pro 14 clubs in Ireland and Wales are paired off with the Championship side to mix up the scenery a bit and give other players a chance to take the field in competitive fixtures.
No Americas players will take part in the opening fixture on Friday between Jersey and Yorkshire Carnegie, but there will be several spread across a full slate of eight games on Saturday.
Aaron Carpenter returns from a couple weeks off resting a head injury to play at No 8 for Doncaster against Leinster ‘A’. The Knights also welcome a new name to the squad in US Eagles lock Nick Civetta who has joined the club on a dual-registration deal with Newcastle Falcons to get more game time.
London Scottish will hand starts to a pair of North American roommates as Canada’s Kyle Baillie starts at lock and USA tighthead prop Dino Waldren makes his first start for the club at against the Dragons.
Another USA cap starts for Hartpury in the form of veteran scrumhalf Robbie Shaw, while two Argentines are found opposite in the Cornish Pirates backline with Nicolás de Battista leading the side in the midfield and Nicolás Coronel getting his first run-out on the wing.
Set to make his debut for Ealing Trailfinders is Shane O’Leary, the Canada flyhalf who joined up with the club just a few weeks ago. He will play opposite Richmond who have a Canadian age-grade international hooker in Richard Townsend on the bench.
Not from the Americas but of some interest is Richmond reserve lock Harry Innis, a converted American football player who had a trial with the New York Giants as a tight end.
