Devils: it's a playoff tiebreaker with the Flames

The challenge between Valorugby and Fiamme Oro Roma appears decisive, perhaps decisive, in the race for the A Elite championship play-offs. The direct clash between the Devils and the Fiamme, tied for fourth in the standings, will take place at Mirabello at 12.45:16, an unusual time chosen to avoid the clash with Italy-Ireland women's match in nearby Parma (match broadcast at XNUMX:XNUMX on Rai Due). The Mirabello match (refereed by Frasson from Treviso, tmo is Schipani from Benevento) will be broadcast live by The Rugby Channel, a web channel that from today begins to collaborate with the League and the Federation.

"It's a do-or-die match, like a final," said head coach Marcello Violi. "Fiamme Oro are probably the team in the best form in the championship, they play well and have important individual players. We're getting back an important player like Matteo Dell'Acqua, who will start from the bench."

The starting lineup chosen by Violi sees the surprising new addition at number 10 of Dan Newton, the former Welsh champion who, forced by the many absences among the midfielders (Ledesma, Renton, Pescetto), returns to wear the player's clothes abandoned a few months ago when he joined the technical staff of the Canalina club. The Rimpelli brothers reappear on the bench and, as coach Violi said, the captain Dell'Acqua.

In a challenge that is easy to predict very balanced, both in the game and in the score, the set pieces could have a great weight; and in this fundamental the Fiamme have two excellent kickers in Canna and Di Marco, while Valorugby, without as already mentioned Ledesma and Pescetto, will try to rely on Newton's foot or alternatively that of Farolini.

While dealing with the unavailable players, the Devils club welcomes two good pieces of news: the graduations of Edoardo Mastandrea and Pietro Mazzei and the call-up of Thomas Kurti to the Italy U19. Kurti, second row of the Valorugby U18 coached by Bertoncini, Garziera and Pescetto, will participate in the Azzurrini's tour in Scotland and Wales, starting April 7.

Serie A Elite, third-last round: Petrarca-Viadana 33-28, Lazio-Rangers 8-20, Lyons-Mogliano 8-23; today at 14 pm Colorno-Rovigo.

Standings: Viadana 63 points, Rovigo 56, Petrarca 56, Valorugby 48; Fiamme Oro 48, Mogliano 38, Colorno 34, Rangers 24, Lyons 19; Lazio 7.

Serie C. At 15.30:14 pm Valorugby cadet against Ferrara in Jano. Guastalla rests. At 16 pm Valorugby-Jesi UXNUMX in Cadè.