Preview: Champions Cup, Round Six
CRUNCH TIME: Stars of the global game head into an intense final weekend of the pool stages with seven coveted quarter-final places, as well as home venue advantage, still up for grabs.
With seven places left to be filled in the last eight, we are set for an exciting final round of league action.
Two-time tournament winners, Saracens, have booked their berth in the last eight, however, the English champions still have the top spot in Pool Three to contest when they go head-to-head with Glasgow Warriors at Allianz Park in on Saturday.
Saracens’ Premiership rivals, Exeter Chiefs, kept their hopes alive with a bonus-point win over Castres Olympique in Round Five, but to emerge from Pool Two, they will need to upset the odds in Limerick on Saturday and end Munster Rugby’s 11-match European winning run at Thomond Park.
Were they to do so, they would be the first club in the history of the tournament to qualify for the knockout stage having failed to win any of their opening three matches.
However, Munster versus Exeter Chiefs is the most alluring in a round chockablock with spicy fixtures – which also include Saracens versus Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh versus Montpellier.
Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter has described Saturday’s Champions Cup Pool Two decider against 2018 semifinalists Munster at Thomond Park as “a fantastic test” for his side.
Pool Two is finely poised, with leaders Munster four points ahead of second-placed Exeter Chiefs, after both sides notched bonus-point victories in Round Five – over Gloucester and Castres Olympique respectively.
That left Exeter knowing they will need either a full five-point haul on Saturday and to stop Munster from picking up more than one bonus point, or a four-point win without Munster collecting any bonus points.
No wonder Baxter is viewing the clash at a sold-out Thomond Park as “a knockout game”.
“We have done the most important thing, which is get to the last stage of the pool effectively in a knockout game,” said the Exeter boss in his press conference earlier this week.
“It is not as simple as that, because we have to do more than just win the game. We have to collect at least a four-point gap to get level with Munster, but we have given ourselves a definite something to go over there and play for.
“We can genuinely talk this week about going and testing ourselves in one of Europe’s iconic venues against one of Europe’s iconic teams in as close to a knockout as we could get.
“It is going to be a fantastic test for us and great to see which players want to stand up and fight. The biggest thing for us is to get emotionally recharged.”
Although a losing bonus point can do the trick, Munster centre Rory Scannell believes the Irish province still need a win on Saturday against Exeter Chiefs.
The 25-year-old – who scored a try in the Round 5 win at Kingsholm – told a media briefing this week: “I think we are playing some good at the minute and it’s an important time of the year to be doing it.
“We always enjoy playing at a full house in Thomond Park. Exeter are probably in a place they didn’t think they’d be in a few weeks ago, but they’ve got a maximum 10 points from their last two games.
“It’s a straight shootout and that’s the way we are looking at it. We need a win to progress to the quarters and whatever else happens is out of our hands.”
We look at all the Round Six matches!
Friday, January 18
Edinburgh v Montpellier
(Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh – Kick-off: 19.45; 18.45 French time; 19.45 GMT)
Pool Five will be decided on at Murrayfield when Edinburgh host Montpellier, knowing that a win will book them a crucial home quarterfinal.
This will be the second meeting between Edinburgh and Montpellier after the Top 14 side’s 21-15 win at the GGL Stadium in Round One this season.
A win for Edinburgh on Friday evening will see them topping Pool Five and booking a precious home quarter-final into the bargain.
Montpellier beat Glasgow on their last trip to Scotland (29-22, Round 3 2017/18), however, they had lost their previous three such games, all against Glasgow (two Champions Cup games, one Challenge Cup game).
Only twice before have Edinburgh reached the knockout stage of the tournament – the quarter-finals in 2003/04 and semifinals in 2011/12.
They could emulate their 2003/04 campaign by winning five games in a row if victorious on Friday.
Montpellier have won their last two matches, but they’ve not enjoyed a longer run since a five-game streak on the way to the 2012/13 quarterfinals.
Only Toulouse’s Cheslin Kolbe (12) has made more breaks than Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham (10) this season.
Edinburgh’s Bill Mata has made more carries (96) than any other player, and has also made more metres than any other forward (330).
No one has stolen more opposition lineouts than Edinburgh’s Ben Toolis to date (5).
Teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 James Johnstone, 12 Chris Dean, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Bill Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Ben Toolis, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally (c), 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 David Cherry, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Luke Crosbie, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Juan Pablo Socino
Montpellier: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Henry Immelman, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Louis Picamoles (c), 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 5 Jacques du Plessis, 4 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Grégory Fichten
Replacements: 16 Vincent Giudicelli, 17 Usha Tcheisvhili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Kelian Galletier, 20 Yvan Reilhac, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Vincent Martin, 23 Paul Willemse
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe (England), Peter Allan (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JmbZviCe4w
Newcastle Falcons v RC Toulon
(Kingston Park, Newcastle – Kick-off: 19.45; 18.45 French time; 19.45 GMT)
RC Toulon will look to cut short a run of five European away defeats in a row, when they take on Newcastle Falcons at.
Toulon have lost eight of their last nine away games in the Champions Cup.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides with Newcastle edging the head-to-head 2-1.
Falcons have won five of their eight home games in the Champions Cup, including four of the last five.
Toulon are one of just three sides yet to lose a scrum on their own feed after five rounds this season (also Racing 92 and Toulouse).
Newcastle’s Joel Hodgson has slotted all 10 of his kicks at goal this season.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood (c), 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Gary Graham, 6 Ryan Burrows, 5 Glen Young, 4 Will Witty, 3 Trevor Davison, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Adam Brocklebank
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Sami Mavinga, 18 David Wilson, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Michael Young, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Zach Kibirige
Toulon: 15 Mathieu Smaili, 14 Daniel Ikpefan, 13 Josua Tuisova, 12 Julian Savea, 11 Filipo Nakosi, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Yoann Cottin, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Stephane Onambele, 6 Jean Monribot, 5 Romain Taofifenua (c), 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Anthony Etrillard, 1 Bruce Devaux
Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Matthieu Loudet, 19 Corentin Vernet, 20 Anthony Belleau, 21 Mathieu Bastareaud, 22 Rhys Webb, 23 Juandré Kruger
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales), Aled Evans (Wales)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)
Saturday, January 19
Saracens v Glasgow Warriors
(Allianz Park, Barnet – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT)
Two-time winners Saracens can book themselves a home quarterfinal with a victory over Glasgow Warriors.
Saracens, who have qualified for the knockout stage for the eighth season in a row, have won all four previous matches against Glasgow including a 13-3 win at Scotstoun in Round One.
A win on Saturday for the 2016 and 2017 champions will guarantee them the No 1 seeding and a home quarterfinal.
A win for Glasgow and they will be certain of a place in the quarterfinals – either as pool winners or a best runner-up – for the second time in their history.
Saracens have won 17 of their last 18 home games in the tournament, a 14-46 defeat by Clermont last season the exception in this run dating back to 2013.
Glasgow are on a four-game winning run in, their best in the competition.
Saracens have kicked from hand on average 25 times a game this season, more than any other side.
Saracens have the best line out success rate (94 percent) this season.
Glasgow’s Jonny Gray has made 80 tackles, and only Ulster’s Marcell Coetzee (85) and Rynhardt Elstadt of Toulouse (85) have made more.
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Liam Williams, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 David Strettle.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Ryan Wilson (captain), 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Grant Stewart, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Alex Allan, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Adam Ashe, 20 Matt Smith, 21 George Horne, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Niko Matawalu.
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon (France), Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWQm7pcHdWM
Cardiff Blues v Lyon
(Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff – Kick-off: 13.00; 14.00 French time; 13.00 GMT)
Lyon will seek a first victory in the Champions Cup in their debut season in the competition, when they travel to Cardiff Blues.
Cardiff have won all three of their previous European clashes with Lyon, both Challenge Cup pool stage games in 2017/18 and the Round One game earlier this season.
Cardiff have lost both home games to date this season, and they’ve only once before lost all three in a campaign (2002/03).
Lyon have lost all five of their previous clashes with Welsh opposition in Europe, four Challenge Cup defeats on top of their loss to the Blues in Round One.
No side has scored fewer points than Lyon this season (73, same as Castres).
Lyon’s Jonathan Wisniewski is one of just two players to score a drop goal this season (Castres’ Julien Dumora, 2).
Teams:
Cardiff Blues: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Owen Lane, 13 Harri Millard, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Aled Summerhil, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Nick Williams (captain), 7 Josh Navidi, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 Macauley Cook, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Liam Belcher, 1 Rhys Carré.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 20 Olly Robinson, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Garyn Smith, 23 Matthew Morgan.
Lyon: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Rudi Wulf, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Jean-Marcellin Buttin, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Carl Fearns, 7 Liam Gill (captain), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Etienne Oosthuizen, 4 Loann Goujon, 3 Kévin Yaméogo, 2 Jeremie Maurouard, 1 Raphael Chaume.
Replacements: 16 Virgile Lacombe, 17 Alexandre Menini, 18 Hamza Kaabèche, 19 Francois van der Merwe, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Charlie Ngatai, 23 Quentin Delord.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales (England), Andrew Jackson (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
https://www.facebook.com/BluesCardiff/videos/525282651213789/
Racing 92 v Scarlets
(Paris La defence Arena, Paris – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)
Racing 92 will host Welsh region Scarlets in search of topping Pool Four.
The Parisians currently sit on 21 points and a bonus-point win will guarantee the club a home quarterfinal in March.
This will be the sixth meeting between Racing 92 and Scarlets.
The Welsh region were undefeated in two pool stage meetings in 2013/14 but the Top 14 outfit have won the three clashes since, including a one-point victory in Round One.
Racing have won their last six home games in the Champions Cup, their best ever run with those wins coming by an average margin of 17 points.
Scarlets have lost 12 of their last 14 away games, with the two wins coming against Benetton and Bath last season.
Racing are one of just three sides in the Champions Cup yet to lose a scrum on their own feed this season (also Toulon and Toulouse).
Scarlets’ Gareth Davies has made five try assists to date, more than any other player.
Teams
Racing 92: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Simon Zebo, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Antonie Claassen, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (captain), 1 Guram Gogichashvili.
Replacements: 16 Teddy Baubigny, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Georges Henri Colombe, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Fabien Sanconnie, 21 Teddy Iribaren, 22 Olivier Klemenczak, 23 Ben Volavola.
Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Tom Prydie, 13 Jonathan Davies (captain), 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Joshua Macleod, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Ed Kennedy, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Joshua Helps, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Tom Price, 20 Dafydd Hughes, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Paul Asquith.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland), Nigel Correll (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb1TB4eDH4g
Leicester Tigers v Ulster
(Welford Road, Leicester – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Ulster can secure a quarterfinal spot with a victory over two-time winners Leicester Tigers.
Ulster have won five of their last six games against Leicester, however, their one loss in that period came on their most recent visit to Welford Road.
After just one defeat in 34 home games in the Champions Cup, Leicester have since lost four of their last six.
Ulster lost their last game in England to Wasps, losing 26-7 to Wasps.
The Irish province have conceded just 6.8 penalties per game this season, the fewest of any side.
Leicester have had more yellow cards than any other team with five.
Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale is the top try scorer in the competition, crossing the whitewash at least once in all five rounds.
Teams
Leicester Tigers: 15 Jonah Holmes, 14 Jonny May, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 George Ford (captain), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sione Kalafamoni, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Mike Fitzgerald, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jake Kerr, 1 Greg Bateman.
Replacements: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Will Evans, 21 Ben White, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Sam Aspland-Robinson.
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Will Addison, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Dave Shanahan, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Sean Reidy, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Ross Kane, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 John Cooney, 22 Michael Lowry, 23 Darren Cave.
Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona (France), Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlpnpvwId7Y
Castres Olympique v Gloucester
(Stade Pierre Fabre, Castres – Kick-off: 18.30; 17.30 UK time; 17.30 GMT)
Pool Two is rounded off with Castres Olympique hosting Gloucester at Stade Pierre Fabre.
Castres are undefeated in eight home games in the Champions Cup, last tasting defeat when they hosted Harlequins in 2015.
Castres are undefeated in eight home games in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Gloucester’s last away game in France in the Champions Cup was a 36-18 win against Perpignan in 2014.
No side has scored fewer points or tries than Castres in the Champions Cup with 73 points and eight tries.
Only Edinburgh’s Bill Mata has made more carries than Gloucester’s Ben Morgan so far this season.
Teams
Castres: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Martin Laveau, 13 Florian Vialelle, 12 Julien Caminati, 11 Armand Batlle, 10 Yohan Le Bourhis, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Camille Gerondeau, 6 Yannick Caballero (captain), 5 Thibault Lassalle, 4 Christophe Samson, 3 Marc Clerc, 2 Marc-Antoine Rallier, 1 Tapu Falatea.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Firmin, 17 Antoine Tichit, 18 Wilfrid Hounkpatin, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Kevin Gimeno, 21 Ludovic Radosavljevic, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Yohan Domenech.
Gloucester: 15 Tom Hudson, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Lloyd Evans, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Freddie Clarke, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Ciaran Knight, 2 Henry Walker, 1 Alex Seville.
Replacements: 16 Todd Gleave, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Alex Craig, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Charlie Sharples.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lFyxSrtvI8
Munster v Exeter Chiefs
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 17.30; 17.30 GMT)
Pool Two will be decided when Munster Rugby and Exeter Chiefs clash in a crucial match at Thomond Park.
This will be the second meeting between Munster and the Exeter Chiefs, following the 10-10 draw at Sandy Park in Round One.
A win for Munster will guarantee them a place in the quarterfinals for the 18th time, however, if Exeter upset the odds and finish the pool level on match points with the 2006 and 2008 champions, then they will advance to the knockout stage on the basis of the head-to-head matches between the clubs.
Munster have won their last 11 home games in the tournament – Leicester Tigers’ 31-19 success in December 2015 was the last defeat at Thomond Park.
Exeter have lost all three of their games in Europe’s top flight in Ireland, against Leinster twice and Ulster once.
Tadhg Beirne (11) has won the most turnovers this season (level with Thomas Young of Wasps).
Joey Carbery is the top points scorer this season with 59 points from three tries, 10 conversions and eight penalties.
Only Cheslin Kolbe (39) of Toulouse has beaten more defenders than the Exeter Chiefs duo of Santiago Cordero (34) and Jack Nowell (23).
Teams
Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Tommy O’Donnell, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Jeremy Loughman, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Tyler Bleyendaal, 23 Dan Goggin.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Jack Nowell, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Nic White, 8 Matt Kvesic, 7 Don Armand, 6 Sam Skinner, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Ian Whitten.
Referee: Jérome Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Jonathan Dufort (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet Campin (France)
Sunday, January 20
Wasps v Leinster
(Ricoh Arena, Coventry – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Leinster will clinch a home quarterfinal if they are able to defeat Wasps and top Pool One as a result.
The last four clashes between Wasps and Leinster have seen both teams pick up a pair of wins, with all those win coming by 15+ points.
Wasps are yet to win at home in the Champions Cup this season.
Leinster have won their last three away games against Gallagher Premiership opposition.
Leinster have scored more points (167) and tries (23) than any other side this season.
James Lowe remains the top metre-maker this season (387).
Teams
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Josh Bassett, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gaby Lovobalavu, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Zurabi Zhvania.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Ben Morris, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Marcus Watson.
Leinster: 15 Jordan Larmour, 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock (captain), 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Seán Cronin, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Seán O’Brien, 21 Hugh O’Sullvan, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Rory O’Loughlin.
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Lloyd Linton (Scotland), Keith Allen (Scotland)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Toulouse v Bath
(Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)
Four-time winners Toulouse will be looking for a five-point haul against Bath, in order to clinch a quarterfinal spot.
This will be the eighth meeting between Toulouse and Bath, and the TOP 14 side will be looking for back-to-back wins after their victory in Round One.
Toulouse are aiming to win all three home games in a European campaign for the first time since 2012/13.
Bath have lost six of their last eight Champions Cup away games against Top 14 opposition, although all those defeats have seen them secure a losing bonus point.
Toulouse are one of just three sides in the Champions Cup yet to lose a scrum on their own feed after five rounds.
Cheslin Kolbe has beaten more defenders and made more clean breaks than any other player.
Teams
Toulouse: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Romain Ntamack, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Louis Madaule, 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Julien Marchand (captain), 1 Clément Castets.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Piula Faasalele, 20 Alban Placines, 21 Selevasio Tolofua, 22 Sébastien Bézy, 23 Thomas Ramos.
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Clark, 11 Darren Atkins, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Josh Bayliss, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Luke Charteris (captain), 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Michael van Vuuren, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 Alex Davies, 23 Max Wright.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Source: @ChampionsCup
