Champions Cup, Round Two - teams and predictions
SATURDAY & SUNDAY PREVIEWS: The pride of South Africa goes up against two Premiership teams in another round of firsts for Europe's premier competition.
The Bulls and Stormers both faced off against French opposition for the first time last week.
In Round Two they will tackle Premiership clubs for the first time.
While the Bulls persist with giving a mix of fringe players and seasoned veterans a run, the Stormers are ready to unload all their big guns on the |English outfit.
The encounter between Exeter Chiefs and the Bulls may be billed as a battle between the giants, but in essence, the home team is outright favourites.
Both sides opened their campaigns last week with bonus-point victories - the Bulls beating Lyon 42-36 at home and Exeter running out 27-12 winners on the road at Castres Olympique.
However, the Bulls are facing a much tougher test at Sandy Park than what last week's outing presented them - a fact acknowledged by Director of Rugby Jake White.
White, looking at the international stars on the Exeter team sheet - Stuart Hogg, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Jonny Gray, Luke Cowan-Dickie (as captain) and Scott Sio - said he wants to see if last week's Lyon slayers can "back up" that performance against the English outfit.
He admitted this week is a very different challenge - after travelling 26 hours economy class 'around the world' and preparing in sub-zero temperatures.
They are up against a team that did the double - Premiership and European Cup - just two years ago.
(Article continues below Jake White interview ...)
"It is very different to getting up in your own bed in the morning and playing in 30°C temperature at home," White said.
"Sometimes when you get opportunities you don't always get them when you want them," the Bulls boss said, adding: "You don't always get them in the environment you want them.
"I am fully confident these guys will give it their best."
White admitted having the team together, on tour away from home, allows them to gel as a team - rather than rely on individual strengths and skills.
"I can call a team meeting at the drop of a hat," he said, adding: "Sometimes that is a bonus.
"If we had been at home, they would have been back with their families. There are positives to having a team 24/7 - which can be used in your favour."
For White, with his knowledge of the European Cup - as coach of Montpellier - it is not a surprise how intense and tough the competition is.
However, his players are getting a crash course in the demands of the Northern Hemisphere's premier competition.
"We have flown around the world and playing a team of which half are all internationals.
"It is fantastic for these youngsters to measure themselves against such a good team and in such a foreign environment.
"They have to either swim or sink."
* Saturday's other game featuring tournament newcomers from South Africa is between two sides looking for their first win of the season.
London Irish fell 27-32 at home to Montpellier Hérault in Round One, while the Stormers remain in the hunt for their maiden victory in the competition after they lost at 14-24 at Clermont Auvergne.
The South African side may have let an 11-point lead slip at Stade Marcel-Michelin, but they are a very different prospect at home - having won all 15 of their last home fixtures in all competitions
London Irish lock Rob Simmons is delighted that the Champions Cup is welcoming South African sides this year, but is under no illusions how difficult it's going to be for the Premiership club against the Stormers.
"It poses a whole different logistical challenge for clubs, because traditionally an English club going to France is three to five days, but going down there [South Africa] for a week is a whole different culture," Simmons said.
"To be able to live in that culture for a week and go out at the weekend and perform has its challenges, and a lot of clubs haven't done that before, so it will be interesting."
The Stormers are holders of the United Rugby Championship and the Australian believes that URC clubs will have an advantage over English and French sides when they play in South Africa, as they will have already experienced the trip there.
"The more times you do that tour, you learn a lot from it," he added.
"You learn what's important and how to do it.
"The first time it can be a challenge if you handle it the wrong way, so I guess it's an advantage for them, as they've done it once or twice before."
Injured Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla said the atmosphere will be "quite amazing" at the Cape Town stadium.
"People will be in festive mood, with being on holiday.
"I think it will be quite amazing to have the game there and a lot of people coming to Cape Town.
"It promises to be a heavy clash and obviously, with the fans, it promises to be a huge turnout.
"It's amazing to see so many people come into stadiums to come watch the guys play, especially when it gets to the latest stages.
Senatla missed the Stormers' 14-24 loss to Clermont Auvergne last week and also sit out this week, but he is hoping to be back soon from a pectoral injury and be part of their EPCR campaign.
"I’m working extremely hard to get to the level to compete and flourish when I get there," he said.
All the teams and predictions follow below ...
Saturday, December 17
Edinburgh v Castres Olympique
(Edinburgh Stadium - Kick-off: 13.00; 14.00 French time; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Edinburgh by nine points
Teams
Edinburgh: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Luke Crosbie, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (captain), 4 Glen Young, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Charlie Savala, 23 Chris Dean.
Castres Olympique: 15 Julien Dumora, 14 Martin Laveau, 13 Antoine Zeghdar, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Antoine Bouzerand, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Julien Blanc, 8 Kevin Kornath 7 Asier Usarraga, 6 Baptiste Delaporte (captain), 4 Gauthier Maravat, 5 Théo Hannoyer, 3 Aurélien Azar, 2 Pierre Colonna, 1 Quentin Walcker.
Replacements: 16 Brice Humbert, 17 Loîs Guérois-Galisson, 18 Antoine Guillamon, 19 Florent Vanverberghe, 20 Baptiste Cope, 21 Josaia Raisuqe, 22 Rory Kockott, 23 Thomas Larregain.
Referee: Tom Foley (England)
Assistant referees: Nick Wood (England), Peter Allan (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)
Exeter Chiefs v Bulls
(Sandy Park, Exeter - Kick-off: 13.00; 15.00 SA time; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Exeter by 12 points
Teams
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Rory O'Loughlin, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Will Becconsall, 22 Solomone Kata, 23 Josh Hodge.
Bulls: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris B Smith, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn (captain), 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Muller Uys, 7 WJ Steenkamp, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Reinhardt Ludwig, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Bismarck Du Plessis, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Cameron Hanekom, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Carlton Banies, 23 Juan Mostert.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Dufort (France), Vincent Blasco Baqué (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne
(Welford Road, Leicester - Kick-off: 15.15; 16.15 French time; 15.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Leicester by five points
Teams
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 5 Calum Green, 4 Ollie Chessum, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 James Cronin.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Chris Ashton.
ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Cheik Tiberghien, 12 Apisai Naqalevu, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Arthur Iturria (captain), 7 Alexandre Fischer, 6 Killian Tixeront, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Yohan Beheregaray, 1 Etienne Falgoux.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Boudou, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Thibaud Lanen, 21 Baptiste Jauneau, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Jean-Pascal Barraque.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Peter Martin (Ireland), Oisin Quinn (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Lyon v Saracens
(Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon - Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Saracens by six points
Teams
Lyon: 15 Alexandre Tchaptchet, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Thibaut Regard, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Tavite Veredamu, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Baptiste Couilloud, 8 Jordan Taufua (captain), 7 Mickael Guillard, 6 Theo William, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Felix Lambey, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Yanis Charcosset, 1 Hamza Kaabèche.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Marchand, 17 Jérôme Rey, 18 Paulo Tafili, 19 Loann Goujon, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Jonathan Pélissié, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Alfred Parisien.
Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Jackson Wray, 20 Andrew Christie, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Alex Goode, 23 Max Malins.
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Ulster v Stade Rochelais
(Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast - Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 French time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Stade Rochelais by 15 points
Teams
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Ethan McIlroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Iain Henderson (captain), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Alan O'Connor, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Eric O'Sullivan, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Dave McCann, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Stewart Moore, 23 Ben Moxham.
Stade Rochelais: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Pierre Boudehent, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt (captain), 7 Yoan Tanga, 6 Remi Bourdeau, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Romain Sazy, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Wardi.
Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Thierry Paiva, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Thomas Berjon, 22 Levani Botia, 23 Raymond Rhule.
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: George Selwood (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Stormers v London Irish
(Cape Town stadium - Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Stormers by 14 points
Teams
Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jean-Jacques Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg.
London Irish: 15 Ben Loader, 14 Lucio Cinti Luna, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Josh Basham, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Matt Rogerson (captain), 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Mike Willemse, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben White, 22 Rory Jennings , 23 Will Joseph.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Tual Trainini (France), Benoit Rousselet (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)
Montpellier Hérault v Ospreys
(Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Montpellier - Kick-off: 21.00; 20.00 UK time; 20.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Montpellier by eight points
Teams
Montpellier Hérault: 15 Anthony Bouthier (captain), 14 Ben Lam, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Paolo Garbisi, 11 George Bridge, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Alexandre Becognee, 6 Clement Doumenc, 5 Bastien Chalureau, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Enzo Forletta.
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Grégory Fichten, 18 George Tuinukuafe, 19 Marco Tauleigne, 20 Leo Coly, 21 Julien Tisseron, 22 Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 23 Paul Willemse.
Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Mike Collins, 12 Kieran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tom Francis, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Joe Hawkins.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Dan Jones (England), Wayne Falla (England)
TMO: Adam Leal (England)
Sunday, December 18
Northampton Saints v Munster
(Franklin's Gardens, Northampton - Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Munster by seven points
Teams
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 James Ramm, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Lewis Ludlam (captain), 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 David Ribbans, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Aaron Hinkley, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Fraser Dingwall.
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Peter O'Mahony (captain), 6 Jack O'Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Shane Daly.
Referee: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France)
Assistant referees: Kevin Bralley (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)
Stade Toulousain v Sale Sharks
(Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse - Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 UK time; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Stade Toulousain by 11 points
Teams
Stade Toulousain: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Lucas Tauzin, 13 Dimitri Delibes, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Joshua Brennan, 20 Yannick Youyoutte, 21 Selevasio Tolofua, 22 Sofiane Guitoune, 23 Martin Page Relo.
Sale Sharks: 15 Byron McGuigan, 14 Tom O'Flaherty, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Arron Reed, 10 Robert du Preez (captain), 9 Fergus Warr, 8 Dan du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Jacobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Jono Ross, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Thomas Curtis, 23 Ryan Mills.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Filippo Russo (Italy), Manuel Bottino (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
Harlequins v Racing 92
(Twickenham Stoop, London - Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 French time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Racing by five points
Teams
Harlequins: 15 Nick David, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Tommy Allan, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt (captain), 7 Will Evans, 6 Jack Kenningham, 5 Irné Herbst, 4 Dino Lamb, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 George Head, 1 Fin Baxter.
Replacements: 16 Jack Musk, 17 Jordan Els, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 George Hammond, 20 Tom Lawday, 21 Lewis Gjaltema, 22 Will Edwards, 23 Oscar Beard.
Racing 92; 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Teddy Iribaren, 8 Kitione Kamikamica, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Anthime Hemery, 5 Fabien Sanconnie, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Biyi Alo, 2 Janick Tarrit, 1 Guram Gogichashvili.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Jonathan Maïau, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 21 Antoine Gibert, 22 Henry Chavancy, 23 Louis Dupichot.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Rhys Jones (Wales)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
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* Additional reporting by @ChampionsCup