This week’s games include a matchup between the two hottest teams in the league and a matchup between the pack runners and the pack trailers.

San Francisco Rush vs. Ohio Aviators.

This should be the game of the week. The Rush look continue their two game win streak, but will have to do so without a few key pieces. Mils Muliaina and Brendan Daly aren’t in the lineup, as well as Isaac Helu who drops out with injury. Nick Grass returns from suspension for eye gouging. Siaosi Mahoni and Pila Huihui return to the bench. And newcomer, SFGG hooker Neil Barrett is going to cover the back row for the rush.

The Aviators look to continue their dominate ways as they make relatively few changes. Taylor Howden is out, as Zac Mizell moves to fly-half to cover him and Allan Hanson covers Mizell. Ryan Cochran will comes into the lineup on the bench for Howden.

The Aviators will look to keep their fast pace of play up and look to get the ball into the hands of their twin tanks in Spike Davis and Alex Elkins. If the Rush can contain these two and keep the penalties and Shaun Davies boot to a minimum expect an entertaining game. If they can’t look for another run away win for the Aviators.

Ohio

Forwards: (1) Jamie Mackintosh (2) Dylan Fawsitt (3) Demecus Beach (4) Pierce Dargan

(5) Ryan McTiernan (6) Filippo Ferrarini (7) Sebastián Kalm (8) Riekert Hattingh

Backs: (9) Shaun Davies (capt.) (10) Zac Mizell (11) Alex Elkins (12) Roland Suniula

(13) Dominic Waldouck (14) Spike Davis (15) Allan Hanson

Bench: (16) Peter Malcolm (17) Derrek van Klein (18) Dominic Pezzutti (19) Chad Joseph (20) Ryan Cochran (21) Robbie Shaw (22) Chris Kunkel (23) Ahmad Harajly

San Francisco

Forwards: (1) Niko Lolohea (2) Patrick Latu (3) Fancy Namulau’ulu (4) Nick Grass

(5) Jérémy Lenaerts (6) Siupeli Sakalia (7) Sam Finau (8) Bill Fukofuka

Backs: (9) Devereaux Ferris (10) Volney Rouse (capt.) (11) Jake Anderson (12) Orene Ai’i

(13) Junior Helu (14) Michael Haley (15) Martini Talapusi

Bench: (16) Jacob Finau (17) Codi Jones (18) Saimone Laulaupea’alu (19) Siaosi Mahoni

(20) Neil Barrett (21) Michael Reid (22) Pila Huihui (23) Jack O’Hara

Date: Sunday, June 26

Venue: Memorial Field, Obetz

Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 PDT, 13:00 MDT)

Referee: Derek Summers

Assistants: Nick Ricono & Jamie Miller

Broadcasts: PRO Rugby (web stream) & Time Warner (cable) (Ohio region only)

Sacramento Express vs. Denver Stampede

This matchup is an interesting one. One because there are 4 players TBD for the game, 3 for Denver and 1 for the Express. Two, the Express are coming off a 3 week bye. Three, how will Denver respond to last week.

The Express are gaining two players for their rosters. One, Harry Bennett, back from injury and two, Eric Fry, joins the team from Newcastle, pushing Olive Kilifi to the bench. The Express are missing Langi Haupeakui who made a statement debut for the USA Eagles against Russia. Cody Jerabek earns his first PRO start and Alex Hodgkinson joins the team as well.

Denver’s roster for this game is looking thin as they have three TBDs. Though they should be able to fill those with their large roster and available players around the state. Denver has a new second row in Logan Collins and Brodie Orth, so we will see how they can play together. Former Colorado State and Houston Texans fullback Zac Pauga earns his first start of the season. Timana Tahu moves to center to cover Chad London (away on USA duties) and Dustin Croy will cover Tahu.

Denver

Forwards: (1) Nick Wallace (2) Zach Fenoglio (3) Soane Leger (4) Logan Collins

(5) Brodie Orth (6) Zac Pauga (7) Hanco Germishuys (8) Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.)

Backs: (9) Mose Timoteo (10) Will Magie (11) Dustin Croy (12) Ata Malifa (13) Timana Tahu (14) Mike Garrity (15) Maximo de Achaval

Bench: (16) TBD (17) Luke White (18) Jake Turnbull (19) TBD (20) Lynton Mare

(21) Bobby Impson (22) TBD (23) Michael Al-Jiboori

Sacramento

Forwards: (1) Valdemar Lee-Lo (2) Cameron Falcon (3) Eric Fry (4) Robert Meeson

(5) Sione Sina (6) Ryan Koewler (7) Kali Tavake (8) Kyle Sumsion

Backs: (9) Chris Saint (10) Harry Bennett (11) Cody Jerabek (12) Mirco Bergamasco (capt.)

(13) Nemia Qoro (14) Ryan Thompson (15) Garrett Brewer

Bench: (16) TBD (17) Estephan Tuamasaga (18) Olive Kilifi (19) Matt Doubek (20) Sione Latu (21) Jope Motokana (22) Pate Takiveikata (23) Alex Hodgkinson

Date: Sunday, June 26

Venue: CIBER Field, Denver

Kickoff: 15:00 local (14:00 PDT, 17:00 EDT)

Referee: Scott Green

Assistants: Leah Berard & Marc Nelson

Broadcasts: PRO Rugby (web stream)