Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Today sees the start of the final month of the regular season of the Pro 14. In week 19 of the Celtic-Italian-South African League there are to be three matches involving players connected to the Americas. The following preview details their involvement.
In Bloemfontein, South Africa on Saturday the Cheetahs are to be at home against the Ospreys. Involved will be former USA age-grade representative Hanno Dirksen. He will start the match on the right wing. Dirksen turned down playing for the USA at RWC 2011 to try to make the Welsh side instead. He remains uncapped and could have otherwise been currently preparing for a third RWC. What might have been.
In Italy Zebre have home advantage against Connacht. The fixture will see new recruit Marco Cicciol starting at tight head prop. He joined the club last month from Argentina as a medical joker. Named on the bench covering mid-field will be fellow Argentine player Nicolás De Battista.
In Ireland Leinster play host to Benetton Treviso in a second fixture between teams from Ireland and Italy. Named on the bench is Tomás Baravalle. The former Argentina XV hooker is being considered by Mario Ledesma for a place in the RWC 2019 squad.
