Power returns to Perpignan side
Perpignan have named a far more first-choice looking side for this weekend ‘revenge-seeking’ Heineken Cup clash with Treviso at the Stade Aimé Giral.
Treviso’s Round One victory over Perpignan put the French champions on the back foot straight away in terms of qualification and now, as they head into the final week, there is nothing other than pride on the line for the Top 14 side.
Powerful No.8 Henry Tuilagi returns to the side after a spell on the sideslines while, with Stephen Meyer on his way back to South Africa, French international Nicolas Laharrague starts at No.10.
Treviso’s own South African No.10, Marius Goosen will once again be the man leading their attack while Italian internationals Luke McLean, Alberto Sgarbi and Alessandro Zanni will all be looking to impress in France on Friday night.
The teams:
Perpignan: 15 Joffrey Michel, 14 Christophe Manas, 13 David Marty, 12 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 11 Farid Sid, 10 Nicolas Laharrague, 9 Florian Cazenave, 8 Henry Tuilagi, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez (captain), 6 Gerrie Britz, 5 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 4 Yoann Vivalda, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Charles Geli, 1 Sebastien Chobet.
Replacements: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Perry Freshwater, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Robins Tchale Watchou, 20 David Mele, 21 Gavin Hume, 22 Jérôme Porical, 23 Damien Chouly.
Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Emiliano Mulieri, 13 Alberto Sgarbi, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Andrew Vilk, 10 Marius Goosen, 9 Simon Picone, 8 Dion Kingi, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Benjamin Vermaak, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Augusto Allori, 18 Pedro di Santo, 19 Enrico Pavanello, 20 Silvio Orlando, 21 Fabio Semenzato, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 Benjamin de Jager.
Date: Friday, January 22
Time: 20:00
Venue: Stade Aimé Giral
