Clermont at full-strength, Victor Vito out for La Rochelle

Colin Newboult

Clermont Auvergne head coach Franck Azéma has decided to trust the team that defeated Harlequins in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup last month.

The only exception comes at full-back where Isaia Toeava has recovered from an injury to the shoulder and finds himself back in the starting XV for the showpiece event against La Rochelle in Newcastle.

There are no other alterations to their side but Davit Zirakashvili’s return strengthens the bench, which also includes Apisai Naqalevu, who has been very prominent in recent weeks.

Elsewhere, Fritz Lee is back in the the team and combines with Arthur Iturria and Alexandre Lapandry in the back-row, meaning the imposing Peceli Yato will be among the replacements.

Meanwhile, La Rochelle will be without skipper Victor Vito, who misses the final due to a dead leg. That means France international Gregory Alldritt takes his place at number eight and is supported in the back-row by Kevin Gourdon and Wiaan Liebenberg.

There are no other surprises in the pack with Jono Gibbes’ men otherwise at full-strength up front.

Behind the scrum, Kini Murimurivalu is out, meaning the talented Vincent Rattez is at full-back, with Arthur Retiere and Marc Andreu completing the back three.

Finally, Pierre Aguillon and Geoffrey Doumayrou combine in the midfield, meaning Levani Botia is on the bench, where he will look to make an impact at either centre or flanker.

The teams:

Clermont: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 George Moala, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra (c), 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Arthur Iturria, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Etienne Falgoux
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Beka Kakabadze, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams, 23 Apisai Naqalevu

La Rochelle: 15 Vincent Rattez, 14 Arthur Retiere, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Pierre Aguillon, 11 Marc Andreu, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Mathieu Tanguy, 4 Romain Sazy (c), 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Jean-Charles Orioli, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Vincent Pelo, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Thomas Jolmes, 20 Zeno Kieft, 21 Alexi Bales, 22 Jérémy Sinzelle, 23 Levani Botia

Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Kick-off: 19:45 BST (18:45 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)