Preview: Euro Challenge Cup, Round 1
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:38
While European clubs take an extended break from their respective domestic competitions, this weekend opens the curtain on the first round of intriguing European Challenge Cup encounters.
Two newly promoted clubs, England's Northampton Saints and France's Toulon, will kick-start the tournament on Thursday, while on Friday, Montpellier - who now boast former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall within their ranks - will take on Bristol in the other Pool Two encounter.
London Irish initiate Saturday's fixtures with a clash against Italy's Rovigo, while on Sunday, Romania's Bucuresti Oaks jump the gun with a home fixture against France's Bourgoin - their first of three early home games to avoid the challenge of the notorious Romanian winter.
After one season in England's National League One, the Saints gained promotion to the Guinness Premiership this year, and Thursday will mark their first match in Europe since April 2007 - as well as their first run out at the Stade Felix Mayol in 12 years.
The Saints will field a side with the shock ommission of All Black stalwart Carlos Spencer, being replaced by Stephen Myler, whilst back-up Barry Everitt - who played in the EDF Energy Cup win over Bristol last Saturday - was even preferred to Spencer on the bench.
Nonetheless, Northampton Director Jim Mallinder knows that Thursday's European Challenge Cup opener still poses plenty of challenges for the 2000 Heineken Cup winners.
"Toulon have a squad with plenty of international players and their coach, Tana Umaga, was one of the most respected All Black captains," Mallinder told the official Saints site.
The Toulon crowd is also renowned for its passion and support, but Mallinder says that this will just add to the "massive occasion".
Big-spending Toulon gained promotion to the French top flight after winning the Second Division (Pro D2) last season, and are renowned for having assembled a top-class squad - which includes All Black legend Jerry Collins, Australian international Matt Henjak, classy Springbok No.8 Joe van Niekerk, as well as former league bad boy Sonny Bill Williams.
This week, Toulon boss Tana Umaga has named a squad featuring several international players as well as highly-rated Australian league convert Luke Rooney, formerly of the Penrith Panthers.
Hooker Phillip Fitzgerald will lead the Saints out onto the Stade Felix Mayol, again a fervently supported ground.
"Until you come here you don't understand it," coach Umaga told The Guardian of the passion Toulon's locals have for the team.
"The people are fanatical. Talk to them about religion and they say, 'Rugby Toulonnais is my religion'."
The Newcastle Falcons have named a strong-looking side for their Euro Challenge Cup opener against Spanish champions El Salvador at Kingston Park on Saturday.
All Black props Carl Hayman and Joe McDonnell both pack down for the match, while England centre Jamie Noon is among those returning to the backline. Wing John Rudd will undergo late fitness checks to confirm his place, while on the other flank there is a starting home debut for England rugby league international Danny Williams.
"We will be giving El Salvador our full respect this Saturday," Newcastle director Steve Bates told the Falcons official site.
"The team has trained well this week, the focus among the group is excellent and we are looking to put in to practice what we have been working on going in to what is an important week for the club with two games in the space of five days."
"Saturday allows us the chance to put down a marker ahead of the Brive match [next Thursday]," added Bates.
"It will set the tone for our whole assault on this competition, and we are looking forward to seeing this group of players in action," he added.
The Valladolid-based El Salvador secured their sixth Spanish title last season, and have become a feature of the Euro Challenge Cup in recent years.
The Falcons will however recall with a smile their opening European fixture against the selfsame Spanish minnows in 2007, where the Geordies ran in 11 tries in a 71-10 rout.
It’s a case of the eighth-placed team in the Magners League taking on the twelfth-placed Top 14 side when Connacht travel to Dax for one of Friday evening's kick-offs. The Irish team will be at an all time confidence high after their win over Leinster in the Magners League recently but would be well warned not to underestimate their opponents.
Flyhalf Maxime Petitjean remains lethal with his accurate boot for the home side and, with a strong front row including Julien Brugnaut, the contest up front could well prove decisive.
After a difficult start to the new season, Bristol Rugby head coach Richard Hill has opted to start a number of his fringe players at the Stade Maurice Boyau. It is a brave call from Hill with Montpellier, currently sixth in the Top 14, fielding a particularly impressive side, including Ollie Smith at outside centre and All Black legend Justin Marshall in his usual No. 9 spot.
"We've picked a side that is very enthusiastic and hungry," Hill told bristolrugby.co.uk.
"But you never quite know with the French sides as we found last year with Stade Francais. It's a tough ask but if we get something out of this weekend then suddenly the competition will come alive for us."
Having won five out of their six Top 14 games so far this season, Bayonne head into their European Challenge Cup opener. Viadana too come into the fixture after a good start to their domestic season but Jean-Pierre Élissalde's men will expect to have the firepower to go and claim the perfect start in front of their home fans at the Stade Jean Dauger.
The London Irish Exiles are determined to qualify for next year's Heinken Cup, and success in the Challenge Cup is one route. That determination is reflected in the strong starting line-up announced by the club for Saturday's match against Rovigo - an unchanged side from the 15 that took the pitch in the win over Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership 10 days ago.
"Our visitors tomorrow afternoon have had a reasonable start to their Super 10 season and lie in fifth position in that league," said Exiles head coach Toby Booth.
"The Rovigo forwards have provided a platform for their backs and they have taken advantage of that. We know we are in for a tough test."
Worcester Warriors will set off in pursuit of back-to-back Challenge Cup final appearances with an away match against the Italians from Petrarca Rugby on Saturday. With a star-studded line-up that sees Chris Latham make his Euro debut, along with All Black Rico Gear returning from injury, the Warriors are hoping to make a solid start to their Euro season.
"We are taking the European Challenge Cup very seriously," said Warriors flank Kai Horstmann.
"The players do not know a great deal about Petrarca, but we won't be underestimating anyone [this season]. We know we have to make that strong start if we want to go all the way to the final again."
Petrarca on the other hand have some big names to boast in their line-up, with former Gloucester points-machine Ludovic Mercier at fullback, as well as Fijian internationals Domo Domolailai and Nicky Little at lock and flyhalf respectively.
With Viadana having provided some good news for the Italian teams already on the weekend Parma will be looking to do something similar. Currently sitting on top of the Super 10 and unbeaten in the domestic season they will expect to get their European campaign off to a winning start.
Brive have managed just two wins in their opening seven games of the domestic season and will be looking at their trip to Italy as a chance to revive their season. Former Leicester star Andy Goode is on the bench and will be hoping to make a big impact if he gets his chance.
Saracens have named a near full strength team for their opening fixture with Mont-de-Marsan and will be expecting few troubles on Sunday as they aim for full points. Andy Farrell and Chris Jack are both in the team which also included young England U-20 star Noah Cato and star scrumhalf Neil De Kock
Mont-de-Marsan have won just one game so far in their Top 14 season and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the log. While they will be hoping to get something from the game Eddie Jones would be very disappointed with his Sarries team if they failed to make light work of the French strugglers.
Any team at home can be dangerous and, while Bourgoin will be confident, Bucuresti will be no exception.
The French side are currently in 11th place in the Top 14 and struggling for form but will still boast a strong front row, including former Super 14 stars Tone Alefa Kopelani and Wessel Roux. With that in mind, should they be able to get control of the set phases, they will no doubt expect to be to powerful for the home side.
Thursday, October 9
Toulon v Northampton Saints
Stade Felix Mayol, 20.45 (18.45 GMT)
rugby 365.com prediction: Toulon have clearly had a transitional struggle in the Top 14 this season, but then, so have the Saints in the Premiership. Although Umaga has left out a host of big Toulon names for the Euro opener, local passion, a depth advantage and a Spencer-less Saints should steal them the win. Toulon by eight.
Teams:
Northampton Saints: 15 Bruce Reihana (captain), 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 James Downey, 11 Sean Lamont, 10
Stephen Myler, 9 Ben Foden, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Scott Gray, 6 Mark Hopley, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tom Smith.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Matt Lord, 19 Ben Lewitt, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Barry Everitt, 22 Paul Diggin.
Toulon: 15 Sonny Falconetti, 14 Marc Andreu, 13 Olivier Grimaud, 12 Tusiata Pisi, 11 Clement Imbert, 10 Sebastien Fauque, 9 Anthony Giacobazzi, 8 Fotunuupule Auelua, 7 Thomas Sourice, 6 Soane Toevalu, 5 Jocelino Suta, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Phillip Fitzgerald (captain), 1 Nicolas Agnesi.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Muleta, 17 Jerome Filitoga, 18 Sisaro Koyamaibole, 19 Olivier Missoup, 20 Luke Rooney, 21 Damien Vidal, 22 Orene Ai'i.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Touch judges: Michael Black (Ireland), Richard Kerr (Ireland)
TMO: David Keane
(Ireland)
Friday, October 10
Dax v Connacht
Stade Maurice Boyau, 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: A lower-order contest which could go either way. If Connacht can hold Dax in the tight phases and emulate their defensive efforts from the Leinster clash, they've got the pace to exploit such. Connacht by eight points.
Teams:
Dax: 15 Laurent Diaz, 14 Bruno Hiriart, 13 Laurent Marticorena, 12 Duncan Bell, 11 Paul Albaladejo, 10 Maxime Petitjean, 9 Jean Baptiste Pezet, 8 Pierre Caillet (captain), 7 Vincent Deniau, 6 SW Goodwin, 5 Anthony Mazel, 4 Cédric Guironnet, 3 Jérémy Castex, 2 William Bonet, 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Mattin Auzqui, 17 Jimmy Jaen, 18 Christopher Poulain, 19 Jean-Baptiste Cros, 20 Justin Pendanx, 21 Florian Argel, 22 Jordi
Rouge.
Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Mel Deane, 11 Michael Roberts, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Johnny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Adrian Farley, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Joe Merrigan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Andrew Browne, 19 Ray Ofisa, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Troy Nathan, 22 John Hearty.
Referee: Andrew Small (England)
Touch judges: Ashley Rowden (England), Andrew Pearce (England)
Assessor: Douglas Kerr (Scotland)
Montpellier v Bristol
Stade Yves Du Manoir, 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: The home side have a backline littered with internationals, as well as an experienced set of forwards. Coach Hill's decision to give his fringe players a run might not get his side off to the best Challenge Cup start. Montpellier by twelve points.
Teams:
Montpellier: 15 Francois Trinh-Duc (captain), 14 Jean-Matthieu Alcalde, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Sylvain Mirande, 11 Thierry Brana, 10 Fédérico Todeschini, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Mamuka Gorgodze, 7 Jérome Vallée, 6 Warren Britz, 5 Drickus Hancke, 4 Michel Macurdy, 3 Clément Baïocco, 2 Fabien Rofes, 1 Sébastien Petit.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ladhuie, 17 Pieter Van Niekerk, 18 Philémon Toleafoa, 19 Benjamin Goze, 20 Vassili Bost, 21 Adrien Tomas, 22 Olivier Sarraméa.
Bristol: 15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Greg Barden, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Tom Arscott, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Iain Grieve, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Matt Salter (captain), 5 Robert Sidoli, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Peter Bracken, 2 David Blaney, 1 Mark Irish.
Replacements: 16 Mark Regan, 17 Alex Clarke, 18 Dave Attwood, 19 James Phillips, 20 Graeme Beveridge, 21 Chris Ashwin, 22 Neil Brew.
Referee: Andy McPherson (Scotland)
Touch judges: David Changleng (Scotland), Alan Forrest (Scotland)
TMO: Iain Heard (Scotland)
Bayonne v Viadana
Stade Jean Dauger, 19.30 (17.30 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: Bayonne's 'Rodzilla'-lead front row will need to secure ball to prevent the Italalian side's international game-breakers from getting a sniff. Viadana by five.
Teams:
Bayonne: 15 Pepito Elhorga (captain), 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Sam Gerber, 12 Vincent Inigo, 11 Benjamin Lhande, 10 Daniel Larrechea, 9 Johnny Howard, 8 Marc Baget, 7 Louis Massabeau, 6 Dwayne Haare, 5 Nicolas Laffite, 4 Andrew Springgay, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Arnaud
Heguy, 1 Pierre Philippe Lafond.
Replacements: 16 Matias Cortese, 17 Aretz Iguiniz, 18 Jacques Deen, 19 Guillaume Bernad, 20 Jean-Jo Marmouyet, 21 Mathieu Maillard, 22 Craig Gower.
Viadana: 15 Steven Bortolussi, 14 Andrea Accorsi, 13 Garry Law, 12 Sam Cox, 11 Isy Coalala, 10 Lloyd Johansson, 9 Pablo Canavosio, 8 Jaco Erasmus, 7 Aldo Birchall, 6 Joshua Sole, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys (captain), 4 Gavin Quinnell, 3 Miguel Alonso, 2 Juan Battilana, 1 Luigi Milani.
Replacements: 16 Roberto Santamaria, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Sean Hohneck, 19 Lance Persico, 20 Ross Curle, 21 Samuele Pace, 22 Kaine Robertson.
Referee: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
Touch judges: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Peter Roche (Ireland)
Saturday, October 11
London Irish v Rovigo
Madejski Stadium, 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: Rovigo have had some great performances in their domestic league, and boast an efficient pack with backs to match. The Irish however boast no fewer than 12 internationals in their matchday squad, with a devastating backline to match. The home side by 15 points.
Teams:
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Peter Hewat, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 James Buckland, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Declan Danaher, 20 Adam Thompstone, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Rovigo: TBC
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Touch judges: Stephan Pomarède
(France), Didier Dussaut (France)
TMO: Bob Ockenden (England)
Petrarca Padova v Worcester Warriors
Stadio Plebiscito, 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: Worcester have had a poor Premiership season thus far, but made a strong start to the EDF Energy Cup with a convincing win over London Irish last weekend, which shows they may just be starting to peak. A range of fully fit and vastly experienced internationals should also help keep cool heads against the slighter home side. Warriors by fifteen.
Teams:
Petrarca Padova: 15 Ludovic Mercier, 14 Lorenzo Innocenti, 13 Marco Rosa, 12 Roberto Bertetti, 11 Warren Spragg, 10 Nick Little, 9 Davide Pastormerlo, 8 Zane Ansell, 7 Nicolas Galatro (captain), 6 Paul Derbyshire, 5 Gonzalo Padrea, 4 Domo Domolailai, 3 Michele Matteralia, 2 Lorenzo Giovanchelli, 1 Chris Caporello.
Replacements: 16 Mariano Gastaldi, 17 Nicola Gatto, 18 Tino Paoletti, 19 Wilhelm Stoltz, 20 Emmanuel Billot, 21 Martin Acuna, 22 Nicola Bezzati.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham (captain), 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Fellows, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Kitch Kitchener, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Darren Morris,
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Greg Rawlinson, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Loki Crichton.
Referee: David Rosich (France)
Newcastle Falcons v El Salvador
Kingston Park, 18.30 (17.30 GMT)
rugby365.com prediction: The last time the Geordies met rugby's Spanish inquisition they ran circles around them. This season's home opener, and with the return of some experienced key players in the front row and midfield, could see more of the same. Falcons by 40.
Teams:
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Phil Dowson (captain), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Ross Beattie, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Micky Ward, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Russell Winter, 21 James Grindal, 22 Spencer Davey.
El Salvador: Redgarht Van Eyk, Raúl Turrión, Meeuwis Stanley, Nava Nava, Luis Gascón, Justin Wilson, Sale Ibarra, TAZ Lewis, Daniel Marrón, Manuel Serrano, Sergio Souto, Craig Lyons, Fabio Galloppa, Iván Criado, Charlie O'Connell.
Replacements: César Caballero, Diego Zarzosa, Gaston Gaston, Francisco Carracedo, Jorge
Molina, Ignacio Gutiérrez, Manuel Raposa.
Referee: Patrick Pechambert (France)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garces (France), Bruno Bessot (France)
TMO: Trevor Parlett (England)
Sunday, October 12
Overmach Parma vs Brive
Stadio XXV Aprile, 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Teams:
rugby365.com prediction: Brive face a tough test on Sunday but would still back themselves to get something from the game. Despite their poor start to the domestic campaign expect a tough battle. That said, Parma's good start to the season should lead them to another win by four or more.
Parma: 15 Giulio Rubini, 14 Roberto Quartaroli, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Alessandro Chillon, 11 Roberto Mariani, 10 Barry Irving, 9 Pietro Travagli, 8 Manoa Vosawai, 7 Liviu Pascu (captain), 6 Juan Martin Soffredini, 5 Pelu Taele, 4
Tomas Valleyos Cinalli, 3 Alberto de Marchi, 2 Alvaro Tejeda, 1 German Fontana.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Abraham Winter, 18 Francesco Minto, 19 Sergiu Ursache, 20 Francesco Mazzariol, 21 Gilberto Pavan, 22 Francesco Fiorani.
Brive: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Norman Ligairi, 13 Horacio Agulla, 12 Ben Johnston, 11 Racgis Bianco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Jean-Baptiste Pejoine, 8 Antoine Claasen (captain), 7 Vincent Forgues, 6 Alex Manta, 5 Arnaud Mela, 4 Johan van Zyl, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Jean-Philippe Bonrepaux, 1 Petrisor Toderasc.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Fabien Domingo, 19 Alix Popham, 20 Arnaud Pic, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Fabrice Estebanez.
Referee: Neil Patterson (Scotland)
Touch judges: John Steele (Scotland), David Anderson (Scotland)
Saracens vs Mont-de-Marsan
Vicarage Road, 15.00 (14.00
GMT)
Teams:
rugby365.com prediction: Eddie Jones' men will be far to strong for the Top 14 strugglers. With Farrell back in the lineup and bench including names such as Visagie and Rauluni the Men in Black will enjoy a successful start to the new European campaing. Sarries by 15 or more.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Andy Farrell (co-captain), 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Michael Owen, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Chris Jack, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Steve Borthwick (co-captain), 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Kris Chesney, 19 Ben Skirving, 20 Moses Rauluni, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Francisco Leonelli.
Mont-de-Marsan: 15 Karim Abbad, 14 Jean Baptiste Dubié, 13 Simon Ternisien, 12 Murphy Taele, 11 Baptiste Chedal-Bornu, 9 Francois Tandonnet (captain), 8
Jerome Carre, 7 Philip van Schalkwyk, 6 Franck Marechal, 5 Rudolph Berek, 4 Jeandré Mynhardt, 3 Ben Coutts, 2 Trevor Leota, 1 Patrick Blanco.
Replacements: 16 Cyriel Blanchard, 17 Nicolas Etcheverry, 18 Guillaume Leleu, 19 Frédéric Rawls, 20 Roland Bernard, 21 Yann Brethous, 22 Frederic Urruty.
Referee: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Touch judges: Phil Fear (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)
TMO: Roy Marfleet (England)
Bucuresti Oaks vs Bourgoin
Arcul de Triumf, 16.30 (14.30 GMT)
Teams:
rugby365.com prediction: Despite their poor start to the new domestic season one has to favour the French side in this one. Bucuresti will always put up a fight at home but with a powerful forward pack leading the way Bourgoin will take it by 10 or more.
Bucuresti Oaks: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Catalin
Fercu, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Csaba Gal Minya, 11 Madalin Lemnaru, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Ryan McCarthy, 8 Stelian Burcea, 7 Zane Winslade, 6 Alexandru Grigore, 5 Valentin Ursache, 4 Valentin Popirlan, 3 Mihai Lazar, 2 Bogdan Zebega, 1 Nicolae Nere.
Replacements: 16 Florin Tasca, 17 Radu Basalau, 18 Bogdan Petreanu, 19 Daniel Bejan, 20 Florin Surugiu, 21 Dan Dumbrava, 22 Gheorghita Bigiu.
Bourgoin: 15 David Janin, 14 Matthieu Nicolas, 13 Matias Viazzo, 12 Yann David, 11 Mael Moinot, 10 Benjamin Boyet, 9 Mickaël Forest, 8 Yann Labrit, 7 Bogdan Leonte, 6 Sylvain Nicolas, 5 Camille Levast, 4 Bryce Williams, 3 Vincent Pelo, 2 Tone Alefa Kopelani, 1 Wessel Roux.
Replacements: 16 Remy Vigneaux, 17 Arnaud Tchougong, 18 Karena Wihongi, 19 Coenraad Basson, 20 Thomas Genevois, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Anthony Forest.
Referee: Alan Falzone (Italy)
