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It’s been a long wait for San Diego fans, but the Legion will finally run out at the familiar confines of Torero Stadium on Sunday. The LA Giltinis will be their esteemed guests for what promises to be an absolute cracker in picture-perfect conditions.
San Diego are fighting to keep their slim playoffs hopes alive after watching a sizeable second half lead evaporate against the Warriors last weekend. Their first meeting with LA in April was a convincing loss but this is a stronger Legion lineup with greater confidence.
The early departure of Joshua Furno during the week prompts the only change to the run-on side. Siaosi Mahoni steps in at lock with the only other change to the match day squad coming on the bench where Cronan Gleeson takes over as backup loosehead prop.
LA still own the best overall record and are close to mathematically assuring their playoff spot. A blowout win at home over Houston helped them move past the disappointing road loss to ATL. There is little at stake for the Giltinis but another big victory would be a reminder of their status as title favorites at the business end of the season.
Nathan Den Hoedt replaces Corey Thomas at lock, the latter suffering a shoulder knock against Houston but fit enough to take a place on the bench. In the backs there are returns for Adam Ashley-Cooper and John Ryberg, with Luke Burton among the replacements and Ryan James nursing a tight hamstring.
Though LA have been proven vulnerable in two defeats, they remain the most dangerous attacking side in Major League Rugby. San Diego have proven no slouches either with 39 points their lowest score total in the last four games. The return to Torero is a major psychological boost but the Legion remain underdogs against the mighty Giltinis.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 6pm Eastern. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast in Canada and the USA with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers abroad.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Dean Muir, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Tom Franklin, 5 Siaosi Mahoni, 6 Psalm Wooching, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Cameron Clark (capt.), 15 Santiago González Iglesias
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Cronan Gleeson, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Keni Nasoqeqe, 20 Jasa Veremalua, 21 Michael Smith, 22 Ethan McVeigh, 23 Cecil Afrika
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Bill Meakes, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Glenn Bryce
Replacements: 16 Gelen Robinson, 17 Blake Rogers, 18 Ma’ake Muti, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Luke Burton
Date: Sunday, June 20
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 15:00 local (18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Austin Reed (USA) & Deven O’Crump (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-04-24 – LA Giltinis 45, San Diego Legion 17 (Memorial Coliseum)
