Americas players at Greene King IPA Championship sides will start the last two games of the British & Irish Cup pool rounds this weekend, with several spots in the knock-outs up for grabs. It’s a bit of a quiet week with several rested but there are stil 10 players to keep an eye on.
The Blanchet Brothers are recalled to the Bedford Blues starting lineup for Friday’s match against Ulster Ravens. Tackle machine Justin is on the blindside and Sam on the wing. James Pritchard is again absent.
Included by the other Blues, the Cardiff Select XV, is Cam Dolan. The Eagles forward will start in the second row on Saturday against London Welsh. Richard Thorpe is not in the Exiles lineup while Thretton Palamo has left the club.
One half of Doncaster’s Canadian lock duo travels to Ireland this week, with Jon Phelan starting in the #5 shirt for Knights and Tyler Hotson left out. Directing traffic for Connacht Eagles will be Shane O’Leary, the flyhalf who Canadian fans still hope will opt for the Maple Leaf in the near future.
Two Pumas are involved for Jersey against the Dragons XV on Saturday. Martín García Veiga gets the nod at hooker with Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba covering loosehead prop from the bench. A third, Gastón Cortes, starts at tighthead for Bristol against Scarlets Select on Sunday.
Aaron Carpenter is given a week off by Cornish Pirates, but hands over the skipper’s armband to Canadian World Cup teammate Matt Evans who runs out at fullback against Nottingham. Brett Beukeboom is rewarded for his good form with another start at lock.