Preview: European Cup, Round Two
Stade revealed on Tuesday that their Pool Four match had been postponed in a bid to avoid tying up important police resources so soon after the deadly Paris attacks.
It took the number of postponed matches in this season's competition – which had already been delayed due to the World Cup – to five.
Ulster, like many of the sides involved in this season's competition, will thus be making their first appearance against the English Premiership leaders in Pool One.
Saracens have had a stunning start to the season, winning all five matches they've played so far, including last weekend's brilliant 32-7 dismantling of record four-time European champions Toulouse in north-west London.
The English outfit will also take a psychological advantage into the game having beaten Ulster in five of their six previous meetings, including the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014.
Ulster's New Zealander No.8 Nick Williams says those results have no bearing on this match, though.
"There is no element of revenge. It's a new competition, a new team with new personnel," said the 31-year-old, the brother of Tim Nanai-Williams and cousin of Sonny Bill Williams, who lifted the World Cup with New Zealand last month.
"We'll leave the past where it is and let the future take care of itself."
Saracens came out of the blocks last week in blistering fashion, blitzing Toulouse over a dominant first 40 minutes which ended with them leading 27-0.
"The foundation of our win over Toulouse was a great first half performance in which we put them under a lot of pressure and forced them to make mistakes," said coach Kevin Sorrell.
"We will be looking to do the same again this weekend."
Saturday will see the third Irish province, Leinster, fighting for their competition lives away at Bath, whose trip to Toulon was postponed last weekend.
Leinster hosted Wasps in what is quite possibly the toughest pool ever seen in this competition, but the Irish limped to a shock 6-33 defeat in Pool Five.
Another loss at Bath in a group containing the reigning three-in-a-row champions Toulon, would likely end any realistic hopes of Leinster's reaching the knock-out stages.
"We simply were not good enough and just have to be better against Bath," said captain and No.8 Jamie Heaslip.
"Against Wasps we got into the 22 quite a lot but then we would turn it over with a knock-on or we just were not accurate at the breakdown."
Bath will be eager to get going after courting unwanted controversy earlier this week when chairman Bruce Craig claimed their postponed trip to Toulon would never be played.
Competition organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) – of whom Craig is a member – insisted on Wednesday, however, that they are working with officials from the three major European leagues to ensure new dates for the postponed matches can be found.
"EPCR, the three leagues and the clubs are in agreement that all postponed fixtures – including the Toulon v Bath Round One match – will be played, and an announcement regarding the new dates will be made as soon as possible."
For Bath, there is no question the fixture must be fulfilled.
"We are desperate to play it and we are looking forward to pitching ourselves against the best in Europe," said coach Toby Booth.
But first they must start improving on a poor record against Leinster, whom they have beaten only once in seven attempts and who ousted them from last season's quarterfinals 15-18.
Also on Saturday, Leicester will be looking to maintain their winning start to Pool Four away to minnows Treviso, who were whipped 7-32 away to Munster last time out and have lost every game they've played this season.
The Tigers began their campaign with a promising 33-20 victory against Stade Francais.
Champions Toulon will make their bow in the competition away to Wasps on Sunday while 24-hours earlier French Top 14 leaders Clermont take on Ospreys in Pool Two.
We look at all the Round Two action!
Friday, November 20
Ulster v Saracens
(Kingspan Stadium – Kick-off: 19.45; 19.45 GMT)
Saracens have won five of their six Champions Cup matches against Ulster, including each of their last three clashes.
Only once since their first clash in this tournament has either team managed to score more than 21 points in a single match against each other. Ulster have won 12 of their last 15 home matches against English opposition in the Champions Cup.
Saracens have won six of their last seven matches against Irish opponents in the Champions Cup. They have also never held opponents to single digits in consecutive matches in the Champions Cup but will have the opportunity to do so this weekend against Ulster.
Saracens have started a Champions Cup campaign with consecutive pool wins only once since 2005 (2012/13).
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Callum Black.
Replacements: 16 Kyle McCall, 17 Rob Herring, 18 Ricky Lutton, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Peter Nelson.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Michael Rhodes, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 George Kruis, 3 Petrus du Plessis, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Alistair Hargreaves, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Neil De Kock, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Marcelo Bosch.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon (France), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Saturday, November 21
Treviso v Leicester Tigers
(Stadio Comunale di Monigo – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 GMT)
Leicester Tigers have won all eight matches against Treviso in the Champions Cup. They have also averaged 40 points scored per game against Treviso, twice recording 60 or more in their eight encounters.
Treviso haven't beaten an English side since December 2004, losing all 21 games against opponents from England since then.
Leicester Tigers have won all 20 matches against Italian opponents in the Champions Cup.
Teams:
Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Enrico Bacchin, 12 Sam Christie, 11 Tommaso Iannone, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Edoardo Gori (captain), 8 Abraham Steyn, 7 Francesco Minto, 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Jeff Montauriol, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Matteo Zanusso.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Filippo Filippetto, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Marco Lazzaroni, 21 Andrea de Marchi, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Andrea Pratichetti.
Leicester: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Mathew Tait (captain), 12 Matt Smith, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 Sam Harrison, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Dom Barrow, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Greg Bateman, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Seremaia Bai, 23 George Catchpole.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Sébastien Minery (France), Vivien Praderie (France)
TMO: Hervé Dubes (France)
Bath v Leinster
(Recreation Ground – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Leinster have won six of their seven matches against Bath, including an 18-15 victory in the 2014/15 quarterfinals.
Bath have never won a match on home soil against Leinster in the Champions Cup, their only win against the province coming on the road. They have only won two of their 13 matches against Irish clubs in the competition with the last of those victories occurring in 2005.
Leinster have lost only three of their last 17 matches against English opponents in the Champions Cup (won 12, drawn two), however one of those defeats came just last weekend against Wasps.
Teams:
Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9, Chris Cook, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Francois Louw (captain), 6 Matt Garvey, 5 David Attwood, 4 Dom Day, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Nick Auterac.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Stuart Hooper, 20 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Tom Homer.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa (captain), 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Dominic Ryan, 20 Josh Van Der Flier, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Zane Kirchner.
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Salem Attalah (France), Laurent Millotte (France)
TMO: Bruno Bessot (France)
Toulouse v Oyannax
(Stade Ernest Wallon – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15)
After last weekend's postponement, Oyonnax will be making their Champions Cup debut.
Toulouse have won nine and drawn one of their 11 matches against Top 14 clubs.
Toulouse will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats on home soil for the first time in the European Cup; thus far they have played 65 matches at home without consecutive losses.
Toulouse have lost their last three in the competition, but have never suffered four consecutive defeats in Europe.
Teams:
Toulouse: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Maxime Médard, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Timoci Matanavou, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Talalelei Gray, 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Yoann Maestri (captain), 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Vasil Kakovin.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Nemiah Tialata, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Joe Tekori, 20 Gregory Lamboley, 21 David Mele, 22 Yann David, 23 Arthur Bonneval.
Oyonnax: 15 Florian Denos, 14 Silvère Tian, 13 Vincent Martin, 12 Eamonn Sheridan, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Regis Lespinas, 9 Fabien Cibray (captain), 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Olivier Missoup, 6 Pierrick Gunther, 5 Leon Power, 4 George Robson, 3 Antoine Guillamon, 2 Jody Jenneker, 1 Laurent Delboulbès.
Replacements: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Marc Clerc, 19 Valentin Ursache, 20 Pedrie Wannenburg, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Nicky Robinson, 23 Geoffrey Fabbri.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Jackson (England), Robin Goodliffe (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
Glasgow Warriors v Northampton Saints
(Scotstoun Stadium – Kick-off: 17.15; 17.15 GMT)
Northampton Saints have won four of the six previous clashes between the clubs in Europe, though Glasgow Warriors won the last meeting.
The Warriors have won two of their three matches at home against the Saints in Europe's top flight; all three games were settled by seven points or fewer.
The Warriors have won their last six clashes at home against English opposition, this after winning just three of the previous nine.
The Saints have won nine of their last 10 matches against Scottish clubs with those nine victories coming by an average margin of 17 points.
Teams:
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Richie Vernon, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Sam Dickinson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Christian Day, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Matti Williams, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Jon Fisher, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Kahn Fotuali’I, 22 Jj Hanrahan, 23 Jamie Elliott.
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon (France), Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
TMO: Gilles Cogne (France)
Scarlets v Racing Metro
(Parc y Scarlets – Kick-off: 17.30; 17.30 GMT)
The Scarlets are undefeated in their two clashes with Racing Metro, winning away and drawing at home in the 2013/14 tournament.
The Scarlets have won two of their last three Champions Cup matches on home soil, although that one loss came against French opposition (v Toulon).
Racing have won one and drawn two of their last four matches against Welsh opposition in the Champions Cup. In six games between Racing Metro and teams from Wales the final points margin has never been more than 6 points.
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Aled Thomas, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Maselno Paulino, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Ken Owens (captain), 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Tom Price, 20 Lewis Rawlins, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Mike Collins, 23 Steff Evans.
Racing Metro: 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Marc Andreu, 10 Remi Tales, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Wenceslas Lauret, 6 Bernard Le Roux, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (captain), 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Thibault Dubarry, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Juan Imhoff, 23 Brice Dulin.
Referee: Greg Garner (England)
Assistant referees: Dean Richards (England), Peter Allan (Scotland)
TMO: Keith Lewis (England)
Exeter Chiefs v Bordeaux-Begles
(Sandy Park – Kick-off: 19.45; 19.45 GMT)
This will be the first meeting between the sides in European competition.
The Exeter Chiefs are still yet to record a win against a French team in the Champions Cup (lost four). They have won two of their six home matches in the Champions Cup, however they have scored just 19 points in their last two matches on home soil.
This will be Bordeaux-Begles first match in the Champions Cup against English opposition; their previous opponents have all been from either Wales, Ireland or France.
Teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Tom Johnson, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Ben White, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Moray Low, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Don Armand, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Michele Campagnaro.
Bordeaux-Bègles: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Metuisela Talebulamaijaina, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Julien Rey, 11 Blair Connor, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Loann Goujon, 7 Hugh Chalmers, 6 Louis Madaule, 5 Jan Andre Marais (captain), 4 Julien Le Devedec, 3 Patrick Toetu, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Clement Maynadier, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Adam Jaulhac, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Romain Lonca, 23 Charles Brousse.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Gwyn Morris (Wales), Greg Morgan (Wales)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Sunday, November 22
Clermont Auvergne v Ospreys
(Stade Marcel-Michelin – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 GMT)
In the four matches between these clubs in the Champions Cup, each has been won by the home team (two wins each).
Clermont Auvergne won the last meeting between the sides and are aiming to win consecutive matches against the Ospreys for the first time in the Champions Cup.
The Ospreys' two victories over Clermont are the only defeats the French side have suffered in their last 12 matches against Welsh opposition (won 10).
Clermont have won their last 23 games at home in the Champions Cup.
Teams:
Clermont: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 David Strettle, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Damien Chouly (captain), 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Marthinius Van Der Westhuizen, 17 Raphael Chaume, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Flip Van Der Merwe, 20 Vito Kolelishvili, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic, 22 Brock James, 23 Albert Vulivuli.
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Tom Grabham, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Thomas Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hanno Dirksen.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Olly Hodges (Ireland)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Wasps v Toulon
(Ricoh Arena – Kick-off: 17.15; 17.15 GMT)
Toulon won their only previous Champions Cup match against Wasps 32-18 in last season's quarterfinal.
Wasps have won three of their last four matches against French opposition with their quarterfinal defeat against Toulon last season being the only blemish in that run.
Wasps have won 17 and drawn two of their last 20 home matches in Europe's top flight, though they have won just one of their last three.
Toulon have won four of their last five away matches in Europe, conceding fewer than 10 points in three of those five matches.
Teams:
Wasps: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Ben Jacobs, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 George Smith, 6 James Haskell (captain), 5 Bradley Davies, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Sam Jones, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Sailosi Tagicakibau.
Toulon: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Jonathan Pelissie, 8 Steffon Armitage, 7 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Smith (captain), 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Anthony Etrillard, 1 Xavier Chiocci.
Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Florian Fresia, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Duane Vermeulen, 20 Mamuka Gorgodze, 21 Theo Belan, 22 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23 Konstantine Mikautadze.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips (Ireland), Leo Colgan (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland
Sources: Agence France-Presse & @ChampionsCup
