MADRID, 10 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish Men’s Rugby XV team will close this Saturday (4:00 p.m.) the Autumn Window by facing the World Cup player Namibia, at the National Stadium of the Complutense University of Madrid, and captained by Afa Tauli, before the loss of Jon Zabala, according to a statement from the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER).
After losing to a powerful Tonga last weekend in Malaga, Santiago Santos’ men want to regain their sensations and get back on their feet a Central in which they haven’t played a match since the victory in the European Championship against Portugal.
For the match against Namibia, which can be followed on Vamos, the Spanish coaching staff introduces five changes to the starting XV, including that of the captain, Jon Zabala, who will not be able to be on the pitch due to the anti-concussion protocol, since he received a blow that made him leave the field of play last Saturday. The man from Getxo cedes the captain’s armband to the talented Afa Tauli.
Thierry Futeu and Vicente Del Hoyo continue to form in the front row, accompanied on this occasion by Joel Merkler. There will also be changes in the second line, in which Álex Suárez, along with Matthew Foulds, will contribute work, leaving his position in the third to the debutant Mario Pichardie, who will form together with Facundo Domínguez and captain Afa Tauli.
The hinge remains unchanged, so it will once again be Kerman Aurrekoetxea and Gonzalo Vinuesa who will direct the game of the national team, with Alex Alonso and Iñaki Mateu in the centres. Finally, Martín Alonso enters the group of finishers, to add his speed to Jordi Jorba and John Wessel Bell.