Eagles Abroad: Weekend Preview & TV

It’s crunch time in Europe as the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup enter their crucial fourth rounds. For some Americans, like Samu Manoa, it’s about surviving, while for others, like Chris Wyles, it’s about taking control of the pool. There has been a lot of jostling in the lineups this week as team’s try to figure out what chemistry will give them a win. As such, some Americans have been dropped from the lineup while others return. European cup weekends also mean a plethora of rugby on television, so kick up your feet and enjoy.

Take the jump to see who’s up to what this weekend as well as the television listings.



British Isles:

Heineken Cup

Samu Manoa will start for Northampton, while Callum Black is on the bench for Ulster as they two teams meet in Belfast on Saturday.

Chris Wyles is on the bench for the Saracens as they host Munster on Sunday.

Tommy Seymour will start for Glasgow against Castres on Sunday.

Hanno Dirksen is not in the Ospreys lineup as they play Toulouse on Saturday. Dirksen is out with a long-term knee injury.

Dave Ryan is not in the lineup for Zebre as they play Harlequins on Saturday.

Amlin Challenge Cup

Paul Emerick was not in the lineup for the Wasps as they beat Bayonne 30-16 on Thursday. Emerick has an injured ankle.

Other:

Robbie Shaw and Richmond play Esher on Saturday.

Jason Law and Oxford are off until the new year.

Nate Brakeley and Cambridge are off until the new year.

Will Magie and Leeds University are off until the new year but he may get a run out for Otley in the National League 2 this Saturday against Birmingham & Solihull.

Pierce Dargan, Shawn Pittman, and Trinity (Dublin University) are off until January.

France:

Heineken Cup:

Taku Ngwenya will start for Biarritz as they play Connacht today.

Scott LaValla was not in the lineup for Stade Francais as they beat Cavalieri Prato 29-6 on Thursday.

Pro D2

Roland Suniula will start for Auch as they play Dax on Saturday.

Inaki Basauri is not in the lineup for Tarbes as they play Narbonne on Saturday.

Seta Tuilevuka and Beziers play Aurillac on Saturday.

Federale 1

Mate Moeakiola and L’Uson are off until January.

Italy:

Serie A

Lou Stanfill and Vicenza play Amatori Parma on Sunday.

Japan:

Top League

Todd Clever will start for the NTT Shining Arcs as they play his hold team Suntory Sungoliath on Saturday.

Anthony Estrella and Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus play the Kobelco Steelers on Sunday.

TV:

Friday

Edinburgh vs. Racing Metro, 2:55 p.m. et/11:55 a.m. pt (live on Fox Soccer Plus)

Saturday

London Wasps vs. Bayonne, 6:00 a.m. et/3:00 a.m. pt (replay on Fox Soccer Plus)
Ulster vs. Northampton, 2:00 p.m. et/11:00 a.m. pt (delay on Fox Soccer Plus)
Ospreys vs. Toulouse, 4:00 p.m. et/1:00 p.m. pt (delay on Fox Soccer Plus)
Leinster vs. Clermont, 6:00 p.m. et/2:00 p.m. pt (delay on Fox Soccer Plus)

Sunday

Castres vs. Glasgow, 7:40 a.m. et/4:30 a.m. pt (live on Fox Soccer Plus)
Saracens vs. Munster, 9:55 a.m. et/6:55 a.m. pt (live on Fox Soccer Plus)