Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The regular season of the Top 14 concludes on Saturday. With it being the final week of all matches are to be played simultaneously so as to give no team with any advantage in knowing what is required for them to make the play-off’s, qualify for the European Champions Cup or even to avoid relegation.
In the South West Agen host Parisians Racing 92. The home side go into the game knowing they are safe from relegation. Starting for them will be Colombian Andrés Zafra. He will do so hours before his country face the Uruguay XV in Montevideo.
La Rochelle need a home win to reach the play-off’s. A bonus point would increase the chances though they still need other results to go their way. They are up against Bordeaux, the future club of Santiago Cordero, the best right winger in England this season. Starting for Bordeaux will be Argentine second-rower Mariano Galarza who is to join Bayonne next season.
In Paris Stade Français play host to Pau who start with Ignacio Calles at loose head prop. Starting a N8 for the hosts will be Argentine-Italian Sergio Parisse. On the bench covering tight head will be Ramiro Herrera, while the replacement fly half is to be Nicolás Sánchez.
Reigning champions Castres play host to Toulon in what is to be the final match of the season for the visitors. Castres have named Argentina’s Benjamín Urdapilleta at fly half, and Canada’s Taylor Paris on the wing in their starting line-up. Involved for the visitors will be Facundo Isa who starts a N8. Despite being his natural position it is to be Isa’s first start this season at N8 rather than flanker.
