The Houston SaberCats host Rugby United New York at AVEVA Stadium on Sunday, March 1. Kickoff is a 6 pm ET and will be the CSBSN Game of the Week. International viewers may watch on Major League Rugby Facebook Live.
The Houston SaberCats opened the season with a win over the Colorado Raptors and then lost to the Toronto Arrows when the ball was held up in-goal. Last week, the SaberCats also lost to Old Glory DC.
Rugby United New York is in 4th place with a 2-1 record after splitting two matches in the MLR Vegas Weekend, losing to the New England Free jacks and beating the Austin Gilgronis, before last week’s road win against Rugby ATL.
Houston SaberCats
SaberCats Head Coach Paul Healy has made five changes in the starters from last week’s loss to Old Glory DC. Val Lee-Lo, Victor Comptat, and Adriaan Booysen return to the starting XV at loosehead prop, lock, and No.8, respectively.
In the back, Taylor Howden returns at inside center and Matias Freyre, who was rested the previous week, is at fullback.
The team also announced the signing of Manly Marlins 1st-grade flanker/lock Van Stewart and he could make his debut from the reserves.
Tiaan Loots, who is being rested this week, was selected to the week three All-MLR first XV, as well as Charlie Connolly at tighthead prop.
The SaberCats are in second place in the Western Conference and want to revert to their winning ways after two close losses the previous weeks.
Rugby United New York
RUNY Head Coach Greg McWilliams has made four changes in the starters from last week’s win against Rugby ATL. Kyle Sumsion is unavailable and Hanco Germishuys gains his first start at flanker. Mike Petri and Quentin Pradere also start for the first time this season at scrumhalf and at wing, respectively. Will Leonard returns at the outside center following his red card during week one.
The forwards were a dominant unit against Atlanta and James Rochford, captain Dylan Fawsitt, Nate Brakeley, and Mathieu Bastareaud were selected to the first team All-MLR team of the week.
The Roosters will be looking for their third straight victory of the season.
Houston SaberCats & Rugby United New York Squads
Houston SaberCats: 1 Valdemar Lee-Lo 2 Diego Fortuny 3 Charlie Connolly 4 Kyle Breytenbach 5 Victor Comptat 6 Luke Beauchamp 7 Cecil Garber 8 Adriaan Booysen 9 Dewet Roos (C) 10 Sam Windsor 11 Zach Pangelinan12 Taylor Howden 13 Thomas Morani 14 Kieran Farmer 15 Matias Freyre 16 Tim Cadwallader 17 Nicolas Solveyra 18 Boyd Wiggins 19 Rob Meeson 20 Van Stewart 21 Zachary Short 22 Tim Stanfill 23 Osea Kolinisau Head Coach Paul Healy
Rugby United New York: 1 James Rochford 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Charlie Hewitt 5 Nate Brakeley 6 Hanco Germishuys 7 James Denise 8 Mathieu Bastareaud 9 Mike Petri10 Cathal Marsh 11Connor Wallace-Sims 12 Chris Mattina 13 Will Leonard14 Quentin Pradere15 Ben Foden16 Mike Brown 17 Anthony Parry 18 Kirkland Hamilton 19 Matt Wirken 20 Robert Irimescu 21 Marcus Walsh 22 Harry Bennett 23 JP Aguirre
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