WASHINGTON: The Americas Rugby Championship, a second-tier version of Europe's Six Nations tournament for top North and South American rugby union teams, kicks off Saturday with regional power Argentina at the United States.
Uruguay will visit Canada and Chile will host Brazil in the other opening matches in the round-robin format.
The event, styled after the European edition which also starts on Saturday, will be played over five weeks with a champion decided on March 5.
While not a fully powered Pumas squad, fifth-ranked Argentina does boast rising young talent from the same developmental system that has made the South American nation a force in the sport.
"Except for some isolated exceptions, the players involved in Argentina 15 are all from the system and everyone knows the basic structures of attack, defense, lineout and scrum," said Argentina national scrum coach Emiliano Bergamaschi, on the staff of coach Pablo Bouza.
"The training in Houston deepens the work. The aim of the game is no different to that of the Pumas."
The US Eagles, ranked 16th, boast six players from European clubs for the opener at Houston, including flanker and long-time US captain Todd Clever and his English Premiership teammate at Newcastle, prop Eric Fry.
Cardiff Blues lock Cam Dolan and fullback Blaine Scully are back from the Celtic League, as is Glasgow Warriors lock Greg Peterson, while wing Taku Ngwenya is on hand from Biarritz in France.
"The contracted players overseas bring the necessary experience of professionalism from their club cultures and, as long as they bring the right enthusiasm with that awareness to their preparation and performance, this rubs off on the younger players," US coach John Mitchell said.
"This is such an essential part of the younger players' development with our most experienced players around."
Third in the rankings among the Americas lineups is Canada at 19th, one spot ahead of Uruguay and five in front of Chile. Brazil rate 42nd.
Phil Mackenzie, a winger for England's top-level Sale Sharks, and Kyle Gilmour, a flanker for Rotherham in England's second division, join a side of mainly uncapped players for Canada.
"I'm excited to be back with the Canadian team as we prepare for what is an important tournament," Gilmour said.
"It's always an honor to pull on the Canadian jersey and this is no different. These are critical games with ranking points on offer and we're looking forward to the challenge in front of us beginning Saturday."
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