Austin Gilgronis will host the Houston SaberCats in a Karbach Brewing Company Texas Cup clash on Saturday, April 3 at Bold Stadium. Kickoff is at 8 pm ET with the match being streamed on the Rugby Network, broadcast on KXAN (Austin), and in a delayed Sunday broadcast on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
The teams are still in the process of making adjustments. The Austin Gilgronis is 0-2, despite losing to Utah and San Diego Legion by a combined five points. The SaberCats began the season with a win over Seattle, yet were shut out last week by New England.
Austin Gilgronis Head Coach Sam Harris will have Christian Ostberg making his MLR regular-season debut at lock, with Michael De Waal shifting to No.8. Frank Halai and Rodrick Waters also gain starts at outside center and right-wing, respectively. Sidney Shoop, who could make his MLR regular-season debut, and Kurt Morath are in the matchday 23 as halfback replacements.
Houston SaberCats look to return to what worked in the first match of the season against the Seawolves. Head Coach Paul Healy has swapped out his front row in favor of Val Lee-Lo and Charlie Connolly at prop, with Diego Fortuny at hooker. Bronson Teles moves into blindside flanker, shifting captain Luke Beauchamp to openside flanker, and Diego Magno to No.8.
There are also changes in the backs with DeWet Roos still injured. Zachary Short takes his place at scrumhalf, while Robbie Povey pairs with him a flyhalf, with Vice-captain Sam Windsor shifting to inside center. In the reserves, Taylor Howden covers flyhalf or inside center with Zach Pangelinan covering the back three.
Squads with Player Article Links
Austin Gilgronis: 1 Jamie Mackintosh 2 Mason Koch 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Sebastian de Chaves (C) 5 Christian Ostberg 6 Dom Bailey 7 Maclean Jones 8 Michael de Waal 9 Pele Cowley 10 Mack Mason 11 Conner Mooneyham 12 Ned Hodson 13 Frank Halai14 Rodrick Waters 15 Will Magie 16 LaRome White 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Mason Pedersen 19 Reegan O’Gorman 20 Kyle Breytenbach 21 Sid Shoop 22 Kurt Morath 23 Cole Davis
Houston SaberCats: 1 Val Lee-Lo 2 Diego Fortuny 3 Charlie Connolly 4 Kody O’Neil 5 Van Stewart 6 Bronson Teles 7 Luke Beauchamp (C) 8 Diego Magno 9 Zach Short 10 Robbie Povey 11 Veramu Dikidikilati 12 Sam Windsor (VC) 13 Gabe Farley14 Paula Balekana 15 Matias Freyre 16 Tiaan Erasmus 17 Nicolas Solveyra 18 Nikoloz Khatiashvili 19 Lucas Albornoz 20 Adriaan Booysen 21 Jin Ho Mun 22 Taylor Howden 23 Zach Pangelinan
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