Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Houston welcomes another East Coast team to AVEVA Stadium on Sunday when Rugby United New York arrive to close out the fourth week of the new Major League Rugby season. The SaberCats didn’t have the goods against Old Glory DC last Saturday and will need to up their game against a side that picked up a road win over Rugby ATL.
There are six changes to Houston’s starting lineup. Valdemar Lee-Lo comes in for Nicolas Solveyra at loosehead prop, with Victor Comptat recalled in the second row. Adriaan Booysen is back in at No8 and with no sign of Diego Magno, it’s new signing Van Stewart who is called up to the bench.
Also absent are Tiaan Loots and Malacchi Esdale, while Osea Kolinisau is relegated to reserve duty. Taylor Howden starts at inside center with Zach Pangelinan on the left wing and Matías Freyre at fullback.
Greg McWilliams has for the most part stuck with his winning formula but there is one change in the forwards. Eagles star Hanco Germishuys comes into the back row in place of Kyle Sumsion while Matt Wirken provides much-needed lock support on the bench.
Injuries have ruled out Troy Lockyear and Mark O’Keeffe but there is good news with the early return of Will Leonard from suspension after a successful appeal during the week. Quentin Pradère starts on the wing with JP Aguirre set to make his RUNY debut as a replacement.
Despite being on the road, New York enter as favorites after two straight wins. Houston’s pack are no pushovers but the depleted backline is a concern, as is team discipline which was a significant factor in their defeat last weekend.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern. The match will be featured on CBS Sports Network. Those located outside the USA can access a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo, 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Charlie Connolly, 4 Kyle Breytenbach, 5 Victor Comptat, 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 De Wet Roos (capt.), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Zach Pangelinan, 12 Taylor Howden, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Kieran Farmer, 15 Matías Freyre
Replacements: 16 Tim Cadwallader, 17 Nicolás Solveyra, 18 Boyd Wiggins, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Van Stewart, 21 Zachary Short, 22 Tim Stanfill, 23 Osea Kolinisau
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Charlie Hewitt, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 James Denise, 8 Mathieu Bastareaud, 9 Mike Petri, 10 Cathal Marsh, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Chris Mattina, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Quentin Pradère, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Matt Wirken, 20 Rob Irimescu, 21 Marcus Walsh, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 JP Aguirre
Date: Sunday, March 1
Venue: AVEVA Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 17:00 local (15:00 Pacific, 18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Henrique Platais (Brazil)
Assistants: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand) & Greg Varnell (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, Facebook
