Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Despite this weekend seeing just the second round of the Six Nations taking place, the long season requires week 14 of the Guinness Pro 14 to be squeezed in. The Celtic-Italian-South African League this weekend sees four Friday matches, two Saturday matches and one Sunday match.
Jeff Hassler’s injury came at the wrong time for the Ospreys. With Wales involved in the Six Nations the Canadian is badly needed this weekend. There is, nonetheless, to be an attachment to the Americas as Hanno Dirksen starts on the right wing for the Welsh region against Connacht. Dirksen featured for the USA vs Munster in a non-capped match and was also an age-grade Eagle.
In Newport the Dragons host the Glasgow Warriors. Starting in the second-row will be Greg Peterson. The USA Eagle is not involved in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC). He also missed the competition in 2016 and 2017. He started against Germany and Georgia this past November.
Missing for the Cardiff Blues on Saturday will be Blaine Scully. The Californian will instead be playing against Canada, captaining his country in the ARC. The Cardiff Blues face the Cheetahs in Wales on Saturday.
Across in Ireland Munster play host to Zebre in Saturday’s other match. Two Argentine players have been named to start the fixture. Eduardo Bello will pack down at Tight Head while Serafin Bordoli is to drive the options from fly half.
Bringing the round to a close will be Benetton Treviso at home to the reigning champions, the Scarlets in Italy. Both teams are suffering from huge resource depletion due to the Six Nations. Injuries are also a factor with Argentine Juan Ignacio Brex among the injured for Benetton. Tomás Baravalle is fit and will start at hooker.
