Lamositele starts biggest game in European Club Rugby

Washington State’s Titi Lamositele has been named as the starting tight head prop from Saracens who face Leinster on Saturday in the biggest game in European Club Rugby, the 2019 Champions Cup Final. Taking place in Newcastle, England on Saturday the 24-year-old will play opposite Irish veteran Cian Healy.

From Sehome High School in Bellingham, Washington Lamositele’s career as a professional began very early. His impressive youth performances earned him his test debut while still a teenager and also a contract with Saracens.

Five years on and Lamositele is to start on the biggest stage of them all in professional club rugby. He will be the only player from the Americas in the final though Argentine players Juan Figallo, and Marcelo Bosch are both at the club. The former recently returned from injury while the later is retiring from professional rugby this season.

Saracens has also been home to additional Americas players over the years. USA players include Hayden Smith, and Chris Wyles; Canadian Morgan Williams was a Saracen; while Argentine players to have worn the Saracens colors include Matías Aguero, Roberto Grau, Chrstian Martín, and Carlos Nieto.

Leinster currently do not have players from the Americas. Former player Felipe Contepomi is now on the coaching staff. Current Puma Mariano Galarza began his professional career at the Irish province while Juan Gómez also played for Leinster.

TEAMS

SARACENS
15 Alex Goode, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt (capt.), 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jackson Wray, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nick Tompkins, 23 David Strettle

LEINSTER
15 Rob Kearney, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (capt.), 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Seán O’Brien, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Seán Cronin, 1 Cian Healy

Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Hugh O’Sullivan, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Rory O’Loughlin