Which formations should French clubs line up for this final group day in the Champions Cup? The trends are below, thanks to the Midi Olympique editorial staff.
Bulls – French Stadium
Bulls : Just for honor… or almost
Last in this group 3 with zero points in the standings, the South African franchise of the Blue Bulls was a flop in this Champions Cup. Three games, three losses. For this last meeting against Stade Français, the players coached by former South African coach Jake White will have no other ambition than to save honor. Even if an improved victory with twenty-two points difference and no bonus left to the Parisians would send the Bulls to the Challenge Cup. However, this team has qualities and even cultivates a sacred paradox. Indeed, it is the team which has, since the start of the Champions Cup, had the greatest number of defenders beaten (94). A surprising statistic which says a lot about its lack of efficiency in finishing in the scoring zone. A worrying observation for White who made it a focus during the week of preparation according to the South African press. Furthermore, internally and due to the elimination already in effect in the Champions Cup, the question arose of leaving the senior players to rest in order to concentrate on the rest of the season in other competitions.
The probable starting XV for Stade français: 15. Jonas; 14. Laloi, 13. Monin, 12. Delbouis, 11. Costa Storti ; 10. Carbonel, 9. Motassi ; 7.Macalou (cap.), 8.Tanga-Mangene, 6.Huguet ; 5.Pesenti, 4.Scelzo ; 3.Gomez Kodela, 2.Garcia, 1.Koffi.
Substitutes : 16. Petriashvili, 17. N'Diaye, 18. Asi, 19. McCrea, 20. Meite, 21. Timo, 22. Forsans-Bourdette, 23. Ibo.
Clermont – Bristol
Clermont’s probable starting XV: 15. Newsome ; 14. Delguy, 13. Fouyssac, 12. Simone, 11. Raka ; 10. Urdapilleta or Beautiful, 9. Yellow ; 7. Kremer, 8. Lee (cap.), 6. Tixeront ; 5. Clown, 4. Simmons ; 3. Ala'alatoa or Ojovan, 2. Mass or Forcade, 1. Falgoux.
Substitutes : 16. Fourcade or Massa, 17. Lotrian, 18. Ojovan or Ala'alatoa, 19. Lanen, 20. Yato or Fischer, 21. Bézy, 22. Belleau or Urdapilleta, 23. Giral.
Bristol : The dolphin after the leader
Less than a week after challenging the Premiership leader, Clermont hosts its runner-up, Bristol. Led by their captain Fitz Harding, the Bears have several renowned English internationals in their ranks, such as Ellis Genge and Harry Randall. Like Bath, Bristol are an explosive team in attack with precise and astonishingly creative game launches. Note, however, that the usual opener, AJ McGinty, has been injured since December 21 and could be absent again against ASM. With five points in the Pool 2 standings, Bristol are last but can still qualify if they win in Clermont. The Bears were also very scared against Treviso last week, winning by only six points even though they were trailing at the break. In summary, a meeting “copied and pasted” from that of Bath should await Christophe Urios’ men who, this time, will be able to count on their supporters…
Treviso – La Rochelle
Treviso: With fifteen call-ups from the Tournament in the ranks
This season, once again, Benetton is a worthy representative of Italy in the two competitions it competes in. In the URC, the Trevisans are in sixth place, with a balanced record of four wins, one draw and four defeats; almost identical situation in the Champions Cup with one victory for two losses, offset by three bonuses – including two obtained in Bristol last Sunday – which allow him to remain in the race for the first four places. The team, led by Marco Bortolami, can rely on a substantial international base: fifteen players from the squad were called up by Gonzalo Quesada to prepare for the Tournament, including ten forwards (Simone Ferrari, Giosuè Zilocchi, Niccolò Cannone, Riccardo Favretto, Federico Ruzza, Lorenzo Cannone, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani).
The probable starting XV of La Rochelle: 15. Dulin ; 14. Nowell, 13.Seuteney, 12.Dantty, 11.Leids ; 10. Hastoy, 9.Kerr-Barlow ; 7.Jegou, 8.Alldritt (cap.), 6.Botia or Pa. Boudehent ; 5.Douglas, 4.Lavault or Dillane ; 3. Atonio, 2.Lespiaucq-Brettes, 1.Caddouri.
Substitutes : 16. Sutidze, 17.Penverne, 18. Colombe, 19.Dillane ouLavault, 20.Haddad-Victor, 21. Pa. Boudehent or Botia, 22.Berjon, 23.Bosmorin.
Racing 92 – Stormers
The probable starting XV of Racing 92: 15.Tedder; 14. M.Spring, 13.Tuisova, 12.Lancaster ou Chavancy 11.Habosi ; 10.Farrell, 9.Le Garrec; 7.Baudonne, 8.Dayimani ou Joseph, 6.Diallo (cap.) ; 5.R. Taofifenua, 4.Rowlands; 3. Laclayat, 2.Kaitu'u, 1.Kolingar and Gogichashili.
Substitutes : 16. Escobar, 17.Gogichashviliu ou Kolingar, 18.Mabizuko, 19.Palu, 20.Woki, 21.Joseph ou Dayimani, 22.Gibert, 23.Chavancy ou Lancaster.
Stormers : Objective: qualification!
Beaten by Toulon and Harlequins during the first two days of the competition, the Stormers gave themselves the right to dream of possible qualification by destroying the Sale Sharks during the 3rd day (40-0). A success which brought new life to a moribund team. Manager John Dobson's players therefore travel to Nanterre with the ambition of bringing down Racing 92 to secure a place in the round of 16. When asked about his team's ability to win away from home, DHL Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman said: “We have reached a milestone in the way we play abroad. We have learned many lessons from our past experiences. Last year we beat Stade Français and Connacht on their home field. » The Racingmen have been warned.
-Bordeaux-Bègles – Sharks
The probable starting XV for Bordeaux-Bègles: 15. Bielle-Biarrey ; 14. Penaud, 13. Depoortere, 12. Moefana, 11. Retière ou Uberti ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu (ch.) ; 7.Matiu, 8.Tatafu, 6.Gazzotti; 5. Ricard ou Gray, 4. Petti Pagadizábal ; 3.Tameifuna ou Sadie, 2.Sa, 1.Boniface.
Substitutes : 16. Lamothe, 17.Poirot, 18. Sadie, 19. Nguimbous ou Gray ou Ricard, 20. Swinton, 21.Vergnes-Taillefer, 22. R.Janse Van Rensburg, 23.Carbery.
Sharks : Lukhanyo Am in the group
The powerful South African number 13, Lukhanyo Am, flew to Europe last Monday with the Sharks with the hope of making his return to competition this Sunday for the last match of the Champions Cup group stage . The Springbok, double world champion, was only able to play three matches with his province this season. His last match dates back to November 30 against the Stormers. This is an important return since Lukhanyo Am has not lost a single match this season (three victories with the Sharks, two with South Africa). He will bring all his experience to his first match in the Champions Cup. The team can also count on the returns of prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, scrum-half Grant Williams and wingers James Venter and Eduan Keyter. On the other hand, Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi will not be there, just like Eben Etzebeth.
Saracens – Castres
Saracens : A team on the royal road
After beating both Stade Français and the Pretoria Bulls, Saracens are on the royal road to going far in the competition. This CO reception will be the last opportunity for the English to take advantage of its contingent of international players called to compete in the 6 Nations Tournament with the XV de la Rose. No less than six “Sarries” are concerned: Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Tom Wilis and Elliott Daly. There is little doubt that the English will field their best possible team against the Tarnais. A convincing success against COleur would ensure a “boulevard” to the semi-finals of the competition, offering them a place in the round of 16 and potentially also in the quarter-finals. Saracens will have to do without Alex Goode (quadriceps operation), Andy Onyeama-Christie, James Hadfield (rehabilitation after ankle operation) and Theo McFarland.
The probable starting XV for Castres: 15. Chabouni ; 14. Hulleu, 13. Cocagi, 12. Séguret (cap.), 11. Raisuqe ; 10. Le Brun, 9. Doubrère ; 7. Moore-Aiono, 8. Tukino, 6. Meka ; 5.Jedrasiak, 4.Maravat ; 3. Corato, 2. Colonna, 1. Guérois-Galisson.
Substitutes : 16. Zarantonello, 17. De Benedittis, 18. Azar, 19.Macurdy, 20. Peysson, 21. Arata, 22. Zeghdar, 23. Dupont.
Toulouse – Leicester
Toulouse's probable starting XV : 15. Ramos ; 14.Mallia ou Capuozzo, 13.Delibes, 12.Barassi, 11.Kinghorn ou Lebel ; 10.R.Ntamack, 9.Dupont (ch.) ; 7.Willis, 8.Jelonch, 6.Cros ; 5.Meafou, 4.Flament ; 3.Aldegheri, 2.Marchand, 1.Baille ou Neti.
Substitutes : 16. Mauvaka, 17.Neti or Baille, 18.Ainu'u or Merkler, 19.Vergé or T.Ntamack, 20.Brennan, 21.Graou, 22.Costes or Banos, 23.Capuozzo or Lebel.
Leicester : Hanro Liebenberg, an absence that weighs
Hit in an ankle during the last day of the Premiership against the Exeter Chiefs, third row Hanro Liebenberg was withdrawn from the reception of Ulster last weekend in the ChampionsCup. This did not prevent the Tigers from winning largely against the Northern Irish. However, the absence of the versatile South African – capable of playing flanker or number 8 – necessarily weighs heavily on the group, as the latter is so important in the English system. With his exceptional physique, he is the preferred player on restarts to fix opposing defenses and move his team forward. Will he still be unavailable on Sunday? Everything points to it, as we close, because the person concerned seemed seriously injured. If the trend continues, it would be a big blow for Leicester.
Sale – Toulon
Sale : The Sharks must wash away the insult
Swept out with a reshuffled team at the Stormers (40-0), Sale, who is having a season below expectations in the Premiership (6th, 29 points), must absolutely win to still hope to qualify for the premier competition or else be donated to ChallengeCup. For the reception of the Var, the Mancunian team can count on all its strengths, including the English internationals (Opuku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd, George Ford, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Roebuck, Ben and Tom Curry). The Pierre Mignoni gang is also preparing to meet up with an old acquaintance in the person of Waisea. The Fijian international was released by the Var club after two rather average seasons with the thrush-stricken jersey. On the other side of the Channel, the ex-Parisian has not yet forgotten Manu Tuilagi. He produced rather very lackluster performances. He still hasn't visited the goal after six appearances and worse, he hasn't started since October. He thus lost his place to Sam Bedlow, Rob Du Preez and Luke James.
Toulon’s probable starting XV: 15. R. Rebbadj ; 14. Villière, 13. Frisch, 12. Sinzelle, 11.Wainiqolo ; 10. Biggar, 9. White ; 7. Coulon, 8. Se. Tolofua, 6.Ludlam ; 5. S.Rebbadj, 4. Halagahu (cap.) ; 3. Setiano, 2. Lucchesi, 1. Gros.
Substitutes : 16. Ivaldi, 17. Priso, 18. Mchedlidze, 19. Ribbans, 20. Abadie, 21. Youyoutte, 22. Serin, 23. Hervé or Garbisi.
