2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[JM2K6]

To be fair, he blew the whistle long before anyone got near Allen, who stopped playing when it went.

Good win in tough conditions against a very big team.

Yes, blowing the whistle was a mistake. And Allen was screwed as all his teammates were in front of him. I don't think it would have changed the result but I think the ref knew he'd screwed up.

More ref bashing.

This isn't a thread for witless saffa trolling.

Toga is correct, blowing the whistle was probably a mistake. A better ref would've waited to see what developed.

[Kawazaki]

To be fair, he blew the whistle long before anyone got near Allen, who stopped playing when it went.

Good win in tough conditions against a very big team.

Yes, blowing the whistle was a mistake. And Allen was screwed as all his teammates were in front of him. I don't think it would have changed the result but I think the ref knew he'd screwed up.

More ref bashing.

You can criticise refs all you like in here. You can't threaten to rape their wives or burn down their homes though.

Capiche?

[sockwithaticket]

And discussing the finer points of a decision is also a long way from saying the ref is shit.

[Torquemada 1420]

Quins really need to build some sort of lead they can defend because no idea why, but Racing have many starters on the bench (Chat, Nyakane, Sanconnie, Chouzenoux) and you'd think they will get better with that lot on.

Or, alternatively, wait for Racing to get a red card

[OomStruisbaai]

And discussing the finer points of a decision is also a long way from saying the ref is shit.

Tell it to Rassie. You do exactly the same, just much more stupid.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yes, blowing the whistle was a mistake. And Allen was screwed as all his teammates were in front of him. I don't think it would have changed the result but I think the ref knew he'd screwed up.

More ref bashing.

You can criticise refs all you like in here. You can't threaten to rape their wives or burn down their homes though.

Capiche?

Pretty sure you have mad followers.

[Paddington Bear]

Yes, blowing the whistle was a mistake. And Allen was screwed as all his teammates were in front of him. I don't think it would have changed the result but I think the ref knew he'd screwed up.

More ref bashing.

This isn't a thread for witless saffa trolling.

Toga is correct, blowing the whistle was probably a mistake. A better ref would've waited to see what developed.

Also the ref seemed to realise almost as soon as he blew the whistle he’d probably made a mistake, IIRC he apologised to a Racing player

[JM2K6]

More ref bashing.

This isn't a thread for witless saffa trolling.

Toga is correct, blowing the whistle was probably a mistake. A better ref would've waited to see what developed.

Also the ref seemed to realise almost as soon as he blew the whistle he’d probably made a mistake, IIRC he apologised to a Racing player

Not quite. He explained to them that there weren't Racing players near enough when he blew his whistle, and when they kept complaining he reasonably enough said if he'd made a mistake then that was on him. He did explain the reasoning before that.

[Torquemada 1420]

BTW, these are the celebrations last year after LOU won the Mickey Mouse


That's how much the French care about it.

[average joe]

BTW, these are the celebrations last year after LOU won the Mickey Mouse


That's how much the French care about it.

As a long suffering Freestate supporter it will mean allot if we win it, regardless of how you funny speaking frog eating mongrels feel about it.

[Torquemada 1420]

BTW, these are the celebrations last year after LOU won the Mickey Mouse


That's how much the French care about it.

As a long suffering Freestate supporter it will mean allot if we win it, regardless of how you funny speaking frog eating mongrels feel about it.

The Cheetahs logo atop a rugby ball is my favourite in the entirety of rugby.

[OomStruisbaai]

Friday 13 Jan.
Clermont vs Leicester Tigers

Sat 14 Jan.
Gloucester vs Leinster
Sale Sharks vs Toulouse
Cell C Sharks vs Bordeaux Begles
Munster vs Northampton Saints
La Rochelle vs Ulster
Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs
Ospreys vs Montpellier
Saracens vs Lyon

Sunday 15 Jan.
Castres vs Edinburgh
London Irish vs Stormers
Racing 92 vs Harlequins

[fishfoodie]

Friday 13 Jan.
Clermont vs Leicester Tigers

Sat 14 Jan.
Gloucester vs Leinster
Sale Sharks vs Toulouse
Cell C Sharks vs Bordeaux Begles
Munster vs Northampton Saints
La Rochelle vs Ulster
Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs
Ospreys vs Montpellier
Saracens vs Lyon

Sunday 15 Jan.
Castres vs Edinburgh
London Irish vs Stormers
Racing 92 vs Harlequins

There's a few games there that will have very large points differences.

Munster v Saints, & the Sunday games should be worth watching, but I'd rather have another root canal done, rather than watch Bulls v Chiefs

[Jim Lahey]

La Rochelle should put at least 40 on Ulster.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers in for a tough match against the Exiles.

Ruhan Nel fly in with Zas out injured.

Again a lot of rotational changes expected.

Must win for Exiles to stay in.

[dabooldawg]

La Rochelle should put at least 40 on Ulster.

I know they won the Hcup last time round, but when did they become so good? Used to be Toulon, Toulouse and the pink team

[Margin__Walker]

Stormers in for a tough match against the Exiles.

Ruhan Nel fly in with Zas out injured.

Again a lot of rotational changes expected.

Must win for Exiles to stay in.

Hopefully it's a LI are in with a shout. Home form is actually fairly good at the moment and probably would have won the Montpellier game without the first half red.

Just need to stop leaking the long range turnover tries and hope the scrum holds up against that Stormers front row.

[Jim Lahey]

La Rochelle should put at least 40 on Ulster.

I know they won the Hcup last time round, but when did they become so good? Used to be Toulon, Toulouse and the pink team

Unsure as to how good LaR are atm, but my post was more relayed to how shite Ulster are. I reckon even the Dregs could put 10pts on them!

[SaintK]

Friday 13 Jan.
Clermont vs Leicester Tigers

Sat 14 Jan.
Gloucester vs Leinster
Sale Sharks vs Toulouse
Cell C Sharks vs Bordeaux Begles
Munster vs Northampton Saints
La Rochelle vs Ulster
Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs
Ospreys vs Montpellier
Saracens vs Lyon

Sunday 15 Jan.
Castres vs Edinburgh
London Irish vs Stormers
Racing 92 vs Harlequins

Not knowing the relative selection strength of each of the teams makes them difficult to call.
So going for home advantage apart from Leinster!!

[Tichtheid]

As a long suffering Freestate supporter it will mean allot if we win it, regardless of how you funny speaking frog eating mongrels feel about it.

The Cheetahs logo atop a rugby ball is my favourite in the entirety of rugby.

I like the Queensland Reds' logo, there are few more threatening sights than a rather stern looking Koala

[Torquemada 1420]

La Rochelle should put at least 40 on Ulster.

I know they won the Hcup last time round, but when did they become so good? Used to be Toulon, Toulouse and the pink team

They've had a decent squad for several years but were permanently hampered by having the worst 1/2 back pairing in France. A very well run club with pretty much sell out gates at every game. Apropos of nothing, a former PR boardie was a player for them way back.

[Sandstorm]

La Rochelle should put at least 40 on Ulster.

I know they won the Hcup last time round, but when did they become so good? Used to be Toulon, Toulouse and the pink team

They've had a decent squad for several years but were permanently hampered by having the worst 1/2 back pairing in France. A very well run club with pretty much sell out gates at every game. Apropos of nothing, a former PR boardie was a player for them way back.

Quent?

[TheFrog]

I know they won the Hcup last time round, but when did they become so good? Used to be Toulon, Toulouse and the pink team

They've had a decent squad for several years but were permanently hampered by having the worst 1/2 back pairing in France. A very well run club with pretty much sell out gates at every game. Apropos of nothing, a former PR boardie was a player for them way back.

Quent?

O'Gara becoming head coach has added the extra focus.

[TheFrog]

Was listening to the French Rugby Poscast, Jordan Taufua was their guest.

This new cup format is corrupt basically qualifying relies on winning a single game and getting couple bonus points. As a result, French team are sending second string teams for away games, especially if they have to travel to South Africa.

Was funny to hear from Jordan how shocke the Lyon kids were when they had to deal with the effects of altitude in Pretoria.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers for LI

DHL Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Date: Sunday, 15 January
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 (13:00 GMT)
Referee: MLudovic Cayre (France)
Assistant Referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France) Assis Ref 2: Stéphane Crapoix (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)

Like the look of this team. The bench is strong.

[OomStruisbaai]

Challenge Cup

Friday, January 13

Scarlets v Cheetahs
(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 20.00; 22.00 SA Time; 20.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Scarlets by five points

Teams:

Scarlets: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies (captain), 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Morgan Jones, 3 Javan Sebastian, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Kemsley Mathias,
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jac Price, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

Cheetahs: 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Dan Kapepula, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Branden de Kock, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Tapiwa Mafura,

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox (England) & Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: Claire Hodnett (England)



Section Paloise v Dragons
(Stade du Hameau, Pau – Kick-off: 21.00; 20.00 GMT; 22.00 SA Time)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Dragons by five points

Teams:

Section Paloise: 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Vincent Pinto, 13 Yvan Reilhac, 12 Nathan Decron, 11 Daniel Ikpefan, 10 Thibault Debaes, 9 Clovis Lebail (captain), 8 Brent Liufau,7 Thibaut Hamonou, 6 Sacha Zegueur, 5 Fabrice Metz, 4 Hugo Auradou, 3 Nicolas Corato, 2 Romain Ruffenach, 1 Siegfried Fisiihoi
Replacements: 16 Youri Delhommel, 17 Ignacio Calles, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jimi Maximin, 20 Martin Puech, 21 Alexis Levron, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Mathias Colombet.

Dragons: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Steff Hughes (captain), 12 Max Clark , 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 Will Reed, 9 Lewis Jones, 8 Ollie Griffiths, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Sean Lonsdale, 5 George Nott, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Joshua Reynolds, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Che Hope, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Jack Dixon.

Referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Jonny Erskine (Ireland) & Keane Davison (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Date: Saturday, January 14
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (16.15 France time; 15.15 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

[SaintK]

Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Date: Saturday, January 14
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (16.15 France time; 15.15 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Phew!! He could have been refereeing.

[Sandstorm]

8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie,

I want to see more from these three in defence and all 3 making turnovers.

[Margin__Walker]

Stormers for LI

DHL Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Subs: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Date: Sunday, 15 January
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 (13:00 GMT)
Referee: MLudovic Cayre (France)
Assistant Referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France) Assis Ref 2: Stéphane Crapoix (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)

Like the look of this team. The bench is strong.

No Malherbe. Looks weak.

LI team:

Jennings with another start at 10 in Jackson's absence.

[Brazil]

Sale team for Toulouse:

Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom O'Flaherty, 13. Sam James, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob Du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Simon McIntyre, 2. Akker Van Der Merwe, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jono Ross, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Jean-Luc Du Preez

Replacements:
16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Bevan Rodd, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Luke James.

That's 15 players who've come through the academy from the 23, and 15 EQPs too (excluding Gus, Schonert, and Jono, who technically qualify too). Not bad. Hopefully we can get revenge on those sausage-munchers from the Pink City.

[Paddington Bear]

Was listening to the French Rugby Poscast, Jordan Taufua was their guest.

This new cup format is corrupt basically qualifying relies on winning a single game and getting couple bonus points. As a result, French team are sending second string teams for away games, especially if they have to travel to South Africa.

Was funny to hear from Jordan how shocke the Lyon kids were when they had to deal with the effects of altitude in Pretoria.

Yeah it’s a real shame, I suspect it has got enough heat to force a change next year. Ultimately sport, particularly in cups, requires real jeopardy. I’ll watch as I have a quiet weekend and there’s wall to wall rugby, but it could be truly epic if they got it right

[OomStruisbaai]

Saturday, January 14:

Gloucester v Leinster
(Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Leinster by 10 points.

Teams:

Gloucester: 15 George Barton, 14 Jonny May, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Freddie Clarke, 3 Kirill Gotovtsev, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Cam Jordan, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Tom Seabrook.

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Garry Ringrose (captain), 12 Jamie Osborne, 11 Jimmy O’Brien, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Brian Deeny, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Liam Turner.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baqué (France) & Flavien Hourquet (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)

[OomStruisbaai]

Sale Sharks v Toulouse
(AJ Bell Stadium, Salford – Kick-off: 13.00; 13.00 GMT; 14.00 France time)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sale Sharks by three points.

Teams:

Sale Sharks: 15 Joe Carpenter, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Sam James, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Arron Reed, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Gus Warr, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Ben Curry (captain), 6 Jono Ross, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simon McIntyre.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 James Harper, 19 Josh Beaumont, 20 Sam Dugdale, 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Tom Curtis, 23 Luke James.

Toulouse: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Juan Cruz Mallía, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Sofiane Guitoune, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Alexandre Roumat, 7 Alban Placines, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Joshua Brennan, 20 Jack Willis, 21 Rynhardt Elstadt, 22 Dimitri Delibes, 23 Arthur Retiere.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Dave Sutherland (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)

[OomStruisbaai]

Sharks v Bordeaux-Begles
(Kings Park, Durban – Kick-off: 17.15; 16.15 France time; 15.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Sharks by 12 points.

Teams:

Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Geoffrey Cros, 13 Tani Vili, 12 Yoram Falatea-Moefana, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Matéo Garcia, 9 Maxime Lucu (captain), 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Corentin Coularis, 6 Renato Giammarioli, 5 Alban Roussel, 4 Thomas Jolmes, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Christopher Vaotoa.
Replacements: 16 Connor Sa, 17 Ugo Boniface, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Jandré Marais, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Jules Gimbert, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Pablo Uberti.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Jamie Leahy (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

[OomStruisbaai]

Munster v Northampton Saints
(Thomond Park, Limerick – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Munster by Five points.

Teams:

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Roman Salanoa, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 John Ryan, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Paddy Patterson, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Liam Coombes.

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 James Ramm, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Lewis Ludlam (captain), 7 Courtney Lawes, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Alex Moon, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Callum Braley, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Courtnall Skosan.

Referee: Tual Trainini (France)
Assistant Referees: Adrien Descottes (France) & Christophe Bultet (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

[OomStruisbaai]

Bulls v Exeter Chiefs
(Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK & Ireland time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Exeter by two points.

Teams:

Bulls: 15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Gerard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck Du Plessis, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lionel Mapoe.

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade (captain), 12 Solomone Kata, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Jack Dunne, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Jack Innard, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 James Kenny, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Rory O’Loughlin.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas (France) & Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

[OomStruisbaai]

La Rochelle v Ulster
(Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle – Kick-off: 18.30; 17.30 UK & Ireland time; 17.30 GMT)
Prediction
@rugby365com: La Rochelle by 11 points.

Teams:

La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jules Favre, 11 Pierre Boudehent, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Thomas Berjon, 8 Grégory Alldritt (captain), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Remi Bourdeau, 5 Rémi Picquette, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Georges Henri Colombe, 2 Samuel Lagrange, 1 Thierry Paiva.
Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Romain Sazy, 20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Pierre Popelin, 23 Raymond Rhule.

Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Rob Lyttle, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Iain Henderson (captain), 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Andy Warwick, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 David McCann, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Ethan McIlroy.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Alex Thomas (England) & Charlie Gayther (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

[OomStruisbaai]

Saracens v Lyon
(StoneX Stadium, Barnet – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT; 21.00 France time)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Saracens by 14 points.

Teams:

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ivan Van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Andy Christie, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Theo Dan, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Alex Lewington.

Lyon: 15 Ethan Dumortier, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Josiah Maraku, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Tavite Veredamu, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Jonathan Pélissié (captain), 8 Arno Botha, 7 Patrick Sobela, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Joel Kpoku, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Guillaume Marchand, 1 Hamza Kaabèche.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Theo William, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Beka Saginadze, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Toby Arnold.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Alex Frasson (Italy) & Manuel Bottino (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

[OomStruisbaai]

Ospreys v Montpellier
(Swansea Stadium, Swansea – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT; 21.00 France time)
Prediction
@rugby365com: Montpellier by eight points.

Teams:

Ospreys: 15 Cai Evans, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Mike Collins, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jac Morgan, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Rhys Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tom Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Huw Sutton, 21 Morgan Morris, 22 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 23 George North.

Montpellier: 15 Anthony Bouthier, 14 Julien Tisseron, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Vincent Rattez, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Leo Coly, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Alexandre Becognee, 6 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 5 Paul Willemse (captain), 4 Bastien Chalureau, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Enzo Forletta.
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 George Tuinukuafe, 18 Mohamed Haouas, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Cobus Reinach, 21 Pierre Lucas, 22 Ben Lam, 23 Yacouba Camara.

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Craig Maxwell-Keys (England) & Phil Watters (England)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)