Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Greene King IPA Championship slips into the second half of its season with its fate seemingly already decided. Both the top and bottom teams are so by a distance, leaving the rest to shuffle about for bragging rights.
Bristol remain undefeated in the Championship, crushing the Cornish Pirates 56-19 on Friday evening to push 13 points ahead of second place Ealing. Gastón Cortes started at tighthead prop in a Bristol lineup that wasn’t far off Premiership strength. Nicolás de Battista captained the Pirates from his usual midfield position. Both Brett Beukeboom and Matt Evans were ruled out with injury, very worrying for Canadian fans with just a few weeks to go to the World Cup Qualifiers.
Saturday features four games, three with Americas players. Nick Civetta bounces straight back from Aviva ‘A’ duty with Newcastle to play lock for Doncaster against Rotherham, by far the worst team in the Championship.
The second-lowest side, London Scottish, have been significant under-performers given some of the players at their disposal. North Americans Dino Waldren and Kyle Baillie will start from the reserves against Bedford Blues.
Second-place Ealing won’t have either of their Canadian internationals for the game against Richmond at Vallis Way. The visitors have been remarkably competitive this season and remain a semi-pro outfit. Ronnie McLean will once again be a key figure at inside centre.
