It’s very quiet in the Greene King IPA Championship this weekend as far as the Americas are concerned. With several players off on international duty for the Americas Rugby Championship it’s a minimal contingent named on team sheets for Friday and Saturday.
Bedford Blues will host Jersey Reds at Goldington Road in the only Friday evening fixture this week. Will Hooley is away on Eagles duty but Canadian flanker Justin Blanchet continues having shown strong form for the Blues since returning from a broken arm.
Saturday sees Bristol traveling to Vallis Way for a vital match against Ealing Trailfinders that could well put a wrap on ascension to the Premiership. Bristol are taking no chances with 11 full internationals named in the run-on side including former Pumas tighthead prop Gastón Cortes. One of the four non-test veterans is former UBC Thunderbirds flanker Sam Jeffries.
Basement dwellers Rotherham Titans are on the road to part-timers Richmond this week. US Eagles cap Ronnie McLean starts at his regular inside center spot in a game with little implication given Rotherham’s horrendous record thus far.
The sole match planned for Sunday between Cornish Pirates and Yorkshire Carnegie has been postponed until February 25 due to poor field conditions. It means that Canadians Brett Beukeboom and Matt Evans along with Argentine pair Nicolás de Battista and Nicolás Coronel will instead enjoy a weekend off.