All 24 team selections for Investec Champions Cup round two
We’re set for another bumper weekend of Investec Champions Cup action, starting on Friday in Manchester and Castres and wrapping up on Sunday evening in Exeter when defending champions Toulouse arrive at Sandy Park with scrum-half Antoine Dupont – voted the RugbyPass best player in the world this week – named as skipper.
It was the French who most caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home. Leinster, who this weekend have All Black Jordie Barrett picked for a first start, were the third round one away winners, picking off Bristol in a difficult opening for the eight England participants.
The Premiership had just two winners and Saracens, who beat the Bulls, have bolstered their side for this Sunday’s trip to Paris by including new signing Liam Williams for his first start since his return from Japan. Here are the 24 teams named for all 12 Champions Cup round two matches:
FRIDAY
Sale Sharks vs Racing 92 (Salford Community Stadium, 8pm) – Live on Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
SALE: 15. Joe Carpenter; 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Robert du Preez, 12. Luke James, 11. Tom O'Flaherty; 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Ben Curry (capt), 8. Dan du Preez. Reps: 16. Tadgh McElroy, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. Willgriff John, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu, 23. Alex Wills.
RACING: 15. Tristan Tedder; 14. Henry Arundell, 13. Sam James, 12. Henry Chavancy, 11. Max Spring; 10. Dan Lancaster, 9. Nolann le Garrec; 1. Guram Gogichashvili, 2. Camille Chat, 3. Lucio Sordoni, 4. Junior Kpoku, 5. Will Rowlands, 6. Cameron Woki (capt), 7. Maxime Baudonne, 8. Hacjivah Dayimani. Reps: 16. Diego Escobar, 17. Lino Julien, 18. Gia Kharaishvili, 19. Fabien Sanconnie, 20. Ibrahim Diallo, 21. Clovis le Bail, 22. Antoine Gibert, 23. Wame Naituvi.
Referee: Craig Evans (Wal).
Castres Olympique vs Munster (Stade Pierre-Fabre, 9pm French time/8pm Irish) – Live on beIN SPORTS/Premier Sports/FloRugby
CASTRES: 15. Julien Dumora; 14. Geoffrey Palis, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Andrea Cocagi, 11. Remy Baget; 10. Louis le Brun, 9. Jeremy Fernandez; 1. Quentin Walcker, 2. Gaetan Barlot, 3. Will Collier, 4. Gauthier Maravat, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Mathieu Babillot (capt), 7. Tyler Ardron, 8. Abraham Papalii. Reps: 16. Loris Zarantonello, 17. Wayan de Benedittis, 18. Nicolas Corato, 19. Paul Jedrasiak, 20. Feibyan Tukino, 21. Santiago Arata, 22. Theo Chabouni, 23. Adrien Seguret.
MUNSTER: 15. Mike Haley; 14. Calvin Nash, 13. Tom Farrell, 12. Alex Nankivell, 11. Thaakir Abrahams; 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Craig Casey; 1. Dian Bleuler, 2. Niall Scannell, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Fineen Wycherley, 5. Tadhg Beirne (capt), 6. Peter O'Mahony, 7. John Hodnett, 8. Brian Gleeson. Reps: 16. Diarmuid Barron, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Oli Jager, 19. Tom Ahern, 20. Alex Kendellen, 21. Paddy Patterson, 22. Rory Scannell, 23. Jack O'Donoghue.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng).
SATURDAY
Vodacom Bulls vs Northampton Saints (Loftus Versfeld, 3pm SA time/1pm UK) – Live on SuperSport/Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
BULLS: 15. Willie le Roux; 14. Sebastian de Klerk, 13. Canan Moodie, 12. David Kriel, 11. Devon Williams; 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Embrose Papier; 1. Gerhard Steenekamp, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Ruan Vermaak, 5. JF van Heerden, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 7. Elrigh Louw (capt), 8. Cameron Hanekom. Reps: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Francois Klopper, 19. Deon Slabbert, 20. Nama Xaba, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Boeta Chamberlain, 23. Stedman Gans.
NORTHAMPTON: 15. George Furbank (capt); 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Fraser Dingwall, 12. Rory Hutchinson, 11. Ollie Sleightholme; 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Elliot Millar-Mills, 4. Temo Mayanavanua, 5. Tom Lockett, 6. Alex Coles, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Juarno Augustus. Reps: 16. Craig Wright, 17. Tarek Haffar, 18. Trevor Davison, 19. Chunya Munga, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Tom Pearson, 22. Archie McParland, 23. George Hendy.
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra).
Ulster vs Bordeaux-Begles (Kingspan Stadium, 3.15pm) – Live on Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/France TV/FloRugby
ULSTER: 15. Mike Lowry; 14. Werner Kok, 13. Jude Postlethwaite, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Zac Ward; 10. Aidan Morgan, 9. Nathan Doak; 1. Eric O'Sullivan, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tom O'Toole, 4. Iain Henderson (capt), 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Cormac Izuchukwu, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Dave McCann. Reps: 16. John Andrew, 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Scott Wilson, 19. Harry Sheridan, 20. Marcus Rea, 21. Dave Shanahan, 22. James Humphreys, 23. Rory Telfer.
BORDEAUX: 15. Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Nicolas Depoortere, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Arthur Retiere; 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Maxime Lucu (caps); 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Romain Latterrade, 3. Carlu Sadie, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Marko Gazzotti, 7. Lachie Swinton, 8. Tevita Tatafu. Reps: 16. Maxime Lamothe, 17. Ugo Boniface, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Alexandre Ricard, 21. Bastien Vergnes, 22. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23. Mateo Garcia.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita).
Leinster vs Clermont Auvergne (Aviva Stadium, 5.30pm) – Live on RTE/beIN SPORTS/Premier Sports/FloRugby
LEINSTER: 15. Jordie Barrett; 14. Liam Turner, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Jimmy O'Brien; 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tom Clarkson, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Max Deegan, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris (capt). Reps: 16. Gus McCarthy, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Rabah Slimani, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Fintan Gunne, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Andrew Osborne.
CLERMONT: 15. Alex Newsome; 14. Lucas Tauzin, 13. Pierre Fouyssac, 12. George Moala, 11. Alivereti Raka; 10. Irae Simone, 9. Baptiste Jauneau; 1. Etienne Falgoux, 2. Etienne Fourcade, 3. Michael Ala'alatoa, 4. Peceli Yato, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Killian Tixeront, 7. Alexandre Fischer, 8. Fritz Lee (capt). Reps: 16. Barnabe Massa, 17. Giorgi Akhaladze, 18. Cristian Ojovan, 19. Oskar Rixen, 20. Antoine Chalus-Cercy, 21. Sebastien Bezy, 22. Ben Urdapilleta, 23. Theo Giral.
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng).
Leicester Tigers vs Hollywoodbets Sharks (Welford Road, 5.30pm) – Live on Premier Sports/SuperSport/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
LEICESTER: 15. Freddie Steward; 14. Josh Bassett, 13. Izaia Perese, 12. Solomone Kata, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins; 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Jack van Poortvliet; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Julian Montoya (capt), 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Harry Wells, 5. George Martin, 6. Hanro Liebenberg, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Olly Cracknell. Reps: 16. Charlie Clare, 17. James Cronin, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Cameron Henderson, 20. Emeka Ilione, 21. Ben Youngs, 22. Jamie Shillcock, 23. Joe Woodward.
SHARKS: 15. Jordan Hendrikse; 14. Eduan Keyter, 13. Ethan Hooker, 12. Francois Venter, 11. Yaw Penxe; 10. Siya Masuku, 9. Jaden Hendrikse; 1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2. Dylan Richardson, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. Jason Jenkins, 5. Emile van Heerden, 6. Phepsi Buthelezi (capt), 7. Jeandre Labuschagne, 8. Manu Tshituka. Reps: 16. Ethan Bester, 17. Phatu Ganyane, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Corne Rahl, 20. Tino Mavesere, 21. Bradley Davids, 22. Diego Appollis, 23. Hakeem Kunene.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita).
Stade Rochelais vs Bristol Bears (Stade Marcel Deflandre, 9pm French time/8pm UK) – Live on beIN SPORTS/Premier Sports/FloRugby
ROCHELAIS: 15. Dillyn Leyds; 14. Jack Nowell, 13. UJ Seuteni, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Teddy Thomas; 10. Ihaia West, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 1. Reda Wardi, 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Kane Douglas, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Oscar Jegou, 7. Matthias Haddad, 8. Gregory Alldritt (capt). Reps: 16. Quentin Lespiaucq, 17. Louis Penverne, 18. Georges-Henri Colombe, 19. Ultan Dillane, 20. Levani Botia, 21. Judicael Cancoriet, 22. Thomas Berjon, 23. Jules Favre.
BRISTOL: 15. Benjamin Elizalde; 14. Jack Bates, 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye; 10. Sam Worsley, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Lovejoy Chawatama, 4. Steven Luatua (capt), 5. Joe Owen, 6. Santiago Grondona, 7. Jake Heenan, 8. Bill Mata. Reps: 16. Harry Thacker, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Benjamin Grondona, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Rich Lane, 23. Joe Jenkins.
Referee: Chris Busby (Ire).
Harlequins vs DHL Stormers (Twickenham Stoop, 8pm) – Live on Premier Sports/SuperSport/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
HARLEQUINS: 15. Tyrone Green; 14. Rodrigo Isgro, 13. Oscar Beard, 12. Luke Northmore, 11. Cadan Murley; 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care; 1. Fin Baxter, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Simon Kerrod, 4. Irne Herbst, 5. George Hammond, 6. Chandler Cunningham-South, 7. James Chisholm, 8. Alex Dombrandt (capt). Reps: 16. Sam Riley, 17. Wyn Jones, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Harry Browne, 20. Jack Kenningham, 21. Will Evans, 22. Will Porter, 23. Jarrod Evans
STORMERS: 15. Clayton Blommetjies; 14. Angelo Davids, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11. Seabelo Senatla; 10. Jurie Matthee, 9. Stefan Ungerer; 1. Vernon Matongo, 2. JJ Kotze, 3. Sazi Sandi, 4. Salmaan Moerat (capt), 5. Connor Evans, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Louw Nel, 8. Willie Engelbrecht. Reps: 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Leon Lyons, 18. Corne Weilbach, 19. Gary Porter, 20. Paul de Villiers, 21. Dewaldt Duvenage, 22. Jonathan Roche, 23. JC Mars
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (Fra).
SUNDAY
Benetton vs Bath (Stadio Monigo, 2pm Italian time/1pm UK) – Live on Premier Sports/epcrugby.tv/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
BENETTON: 15. Rhyno Smith; 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Tommaso Menoncello, 12. Malakai Fekitoa, 11. Onisi Ratave; 10. Tomas Albornoz, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Mirco Spagnolo, 2. Siua Maile, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza (capt), 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Manuel Zuliani, 8. Toa Halafihi. Reps: 16. Bautista Bernasconi, 17. Thomas Gallo, 18. Tiziano Pasquali, 19. Riccardo Favretto, 20. Alessandro Izekor, 21. Alessandro Garbisi, 22. Jacob Umaga, 23. Nacho Brex.
BATH: 15. Tom de Glanville; 14. Regan Grace, 13. Max Ojomoh, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie; 10. Orlando Bailey, 9. Louis Schreuder; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Niall Annett, 3. Billy Sela, 4. Ewan Richards, 5. Ross Molony, 6. Josh Bayliss, 7. Ethan Staddon, 8. Miles Reid (capt). Reps: 16. Kepu Tuipulotu, 17. Arthur Cordwell, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Quinn Roux, 20. Ted Hill, 21. Tom Carr-Smith, 22. Louie Hennessey, 23. Jaco Coetzee.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco).
Stade Francais vs Saracens (Stade Jean Bouin, 2pm French time/1pm UK) – Live on Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
STADE: 15. Leo Barre; 14. Peniasi Dakuwaqa, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Jeremy Ward, 11. Charles Laloi; 10. Zack Henry, 9. Brad Weber; 1. Clement Castets, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Paul Alo-Emile, 4. Paul Gabrillagues (capt), 5. Tanginoa Halaifonua, 6. Sekou Macalou, 7. Ryan Chapuis, 8. Juan Martin Scelzo. Reps: 16. Lucas Peyresblanques, 17. Moses Alo-Emile, 18. Hugo N'Diaye, 19. Setareki Turagacoke, 20. Andy Timo, 21. Yoan Tanga, 22. Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23. Samuel Ezeala.
SARACENS: 15. Elliot Daly; 14. Liam Williams, 13. Lucio Cinti Luna, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Rotimi Segun; 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Ivan van Zyl; 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Jamie George, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Maro Itoje (capt), 5. Nick Isiekwe, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Tom Willis. 16. Theo Dan, 17. Phil Brantingham, 18. Alec Clarey, 19. Harry Wilson, 20. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 21. Gareth Simpson, 22. Tiff Eden, 23. Olly Hartley.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco).
RC Toulon vs Glasgow Warriors (Stade Felix Mayol, 4.15pm French time/3.15pm UK) – Live on beIN SPORTS/Premier Sports/France TV/FloRugby
TOULON: 15. Marius Domon; 14. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12. Jeremy Sinzelle, 11. Gabin Villiere; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Baptiste Serin; 1. Dany Priso, 2. Teddy Baubigny, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. David Ribbans, 5. Brian Alainu'uese, 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Charles Ollivon (capt), 8. Facundo Isa. Reps: 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Daniel Brennan, 18. Beka Gigashvili, 19. Matthias Halagahu, 20. Selevasio Tolofua, 21. Jules Danglot, 22. Enzo Herve, 23. Setariki Tuicuvu.
GLASGOW: 15. Josh McKay; 14. Jamie Dobie, 13. Sione Tuipulotu (capt), 12. Stafford McDowall, 11. Kyle Rowe; 10. Duncan Weir, 9. Ben Afshar, 1. Jamie Bhatti, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Olujare Oguntibeju, 5. Alex Samuel, 6. Henco Venter, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Jack Mann. Reps: 16. Johnny Matthews, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. Angus Fraser, 22. George Horne, 23. Tom Jordan
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng).
Exeter Chiefs vs Stade Toulousain (Sandy Park, 5.30pm) – Live on Premier Sports/beIN SPORTS/FloRugby
EXETER: 15. Josh Hodge; 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13. Ben Hammersley, 12. Tamati Tua, 11. Tommy Wyatt; 10. Henry Slade, 9. Stu Townsend; 1. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2. Dan Frost, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Rus Tuima, 5. Richard Capstick, 6. Ethan Roots, 7. Jacques Vermeulen (capt), 8. Ross Vintcent. Reps: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Kwenzo Blose, 18. Jimmy Roots, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Greg Fisilau, 21. Will Becconsall, 22. Will Haydon-Wood, 23. Zack Wimbush.
TOULOUSE: 15. Thomas Ramos; 14. Juan-Cruz Mallia, 13. Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Matthis Lebel; 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (capt); 1. Rodrigue Neti, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. François Cros, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alexandre Roumat. Reps: 16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. David Ainu'u, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Joshua Brennan, 20. Theo Ntamack, 21. Mathis Castro-Ferreira, 22. Paul Graou, 23. Blair Kinghorn.
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire).
Latest Comments
I don't agree with the whole article but completely agree that ABs badly need a new 10/12/13 axis. Move on the known mediocrity and be brave Razor!
Go to commentsI expect NZ to go unbeaten in NZ in 2025. But until Razor deals with his midfield problems - the team will not reach it's full potential.
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