The Greene King IPA Championship hasn’t quite hit the midpoint of the season and it’s already pretty clear who will be promoted and who is set for demotion. Bristol remain undefeated in regular season play and are now eight points clear of Ealing Trailfinders. Rotherham Titans are at the other end, wallowing in the basement with 13 points to make up on London Scottish. It seems an impossible task given they haven’t won a game yet and are average more than 40 points conceded per game.
In terms of Americas players involved in this week’s fixtures, if there were any less there would be crickets. Gastón Cortes continues in the Bristol front row when they welcome Nottingham at Ashton Gate. Former UBC Thunderbirds flanker Sam Jeffries is selected at lock once again.
The only others in action are a pair of Argentines named Nicolás with the Cornish Pirates. Nic de Battista captains the side as they travel to Richmond with Nic Coronel on the bench as outside back cover. Canada’s Matt Evans is nearing a return from knee surgery but isn’t quite ready to take the field just yet.