For the first time since it began last year, the Global Champions League will feature an all-Irish line-out. Cian O’Connor and Denis Lynch will be the duo to represent Miami Glory in the opening round of the Rome leg of the championship tomorrow.

Both Irish riders have represented Miami during the GCL season, but this is the first time they will compete together. Lynch will partner RMF Bella Baloubet while O’Connor will compete with Skyhorse.

The Miami team is in fifth place in the GCL standings, and will be aiming to climb higher in what is the second-last of the 15 rounds in the championship.

Hamburg Diamonds are on top of the table heading into tomorrow, 11 points clear of Valkenswaard United who are reigning champions. Squad member Bertram Allen will not be in action for Valkenswaard on this occasion, with the team being represented by Marcus Ehning (Comme Il Faut) and Alberto Zorzi (Fair Light van t’Heike). Eric Lamaze (Chacco Kid) and Harrie Smolders (Don VHP Z) will be in action for Hamburg.

Darragh Kenny is the only other Irish rider involved in the Rome round and will partner Team de Coquerie for Paris Panthers alongside American Lillie Keenan on Fibonacci. The Panthers lie tenth of the eighteen teams in the league.

Mike Dunne