The composition of the two teams, communicated on Saturday, does not reveal any major surprises on the Vannes side, where six changes are made compared to the starting XV in Pau. Returning from injury and coming on at the end of the match in Béarn, third row Joe Edwards will again start on the bench, where his tackling qualities and his versatility (he can also play in the second row) could be useful to contain the power of the Auvergne pack at the end of the match. Simon Augry therefore continues a third match alongside the indestructible Francisco Gorrissen and Sione Kalamafoni.
Bourgeois, Arrate and Taccola holders
Right pillar Simon Bourgeois (six games) will make his fourth start of the season, Santiago Medrano starting on the bench. In the absence of Anton Bresler, injured in his hamstrings, Fabrice Metz will be associated with Éric Marks in the second row. Replacing Pau, for the first time this season, fly-half Maxime Lafage finds his place at the hinge.
On the back lines, only Romaric Camou on the left wing and Paul Surano in 15 retain their position. Salesi Rayasi, preserved in Pau (adductors), finds his place on the right wing. Alex Arrate and Robin Taccola, who have not played since the first two European Cup matches at the start of December, will start at center and Francis Saili will sit on the bench.
Clermont without Urdapilleta
On the Clermontois side, opener No. 1 Benjamin Urdapilleta, injured in the hamstrings last week, is not making the trip to Brittany. He will be replaced at the opening by Anthony Belleau, recovered from his concussion suffered against Castres a month ago. The former Toulon player, ten games but only three starts this season, scored 39 points. He notably scored a try in the first leg against RCV, after entering the game at full-back.
The compositions
RC VALVES : 15. Surano – 14. Rayasi, 13. Taccola, 12. Arrate, 11. Camou – 10. Lafage, 9. Ruru – 7. Gorrissen (cap), 8. Kalamafoni, 6. Augry – 5. Metz, 4. Marks – 3. Bourgeois, 2. Blanchard, 1. Vunipola.
Substitutes : 16. Béziat, 17. Moukoro, 18. Mézou, 19. Edwards, 20. Boulier, 21. Varney, 22. Saili, 23. Medrano.
Head coach: Jean-Noël Spitzer.
ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE : 15. Newsome – 14. Delguy, 13. Fouyssac, 12. Simone, 11. Raka – 10. Belleau, 9. Jauneau (cap) – 8. Lee, 7. Kremer, 6. Tixeront – 5. Ceyte, 4. Lanen – 3. Montagne, 2. Massa, 1. Falgoux.
Substitutes : 16. Akhaldze, 17. Fourcade, 18. Ojovan, 19. Yato, 20. Fischer, 21. Bezy, 22. Giral, 23. Tauzin.
Head coach : Christophe Urios.
Belgium
