Americas Players in Aviva Premiership – Week 5

Americas exports will play a significant part in the Aviva Premiership once again this weekend. Matches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will feature representatives from across the Atlantic though only a half-dozen will occupy starting positions.

Friday’s game at Ashton Gate will see Gastón Cortes occupying a reserve spot for home side Bristol against arriving Saracens, though there is no place for Thretton Palamo in the squad this week. The European champions will start former US Eagles captain Chris Wyles at fullback, with a pair of World Cup Pumas in Juan Figallo and Marcelo Bosch found on the bench.

Bath travel to nearby Gloucester on Saturday for a derby match at Kingsholm where Mariano Galarza will front up for the home side. Marcos Ayerza has been left out of the Leicester side this week to travel to Salford but AJ MacGinty continues at flyhalf for Sale Sharks after his impressive outing against Worcester last weekend.

On Sunday Wasps will welcome Harlequins to the Ricoh Arena with St. Lucia’s Marland Yarde in the no14 shirt for the visitors. A match that could be of vital importance in the relegation stakes pits Newcastle Falcons against Worcester Warriors at Sixways. The Falcons have made only one change to the side that beat Gloucester with new signing David Wilson taking over from Chicago-born Paddy Ryan as reserve tighthead. Evan Olmstead starts at lock, with Juan Pablo Socino and Ohio favorite Dominic Waldouck pairing again in the midfield. Belisario Agulla will cover the outside backs as a reserve.