Highlighted: The three key Lyon players who could catch Bath cold in the Challenge Cup final
Highlighted: The three key Lyon players who could catch Bath cold in the Challenge Cup final
Lyon are set to face Bath at the Principality Stadium on Friday in the eagerly awaited Challenge Cup final. This match in Cardiff will be the first time the two sides have ever faced each other.
Bath last won the Challenge Cup in 2008, beating Worcester Warriors 24-16 in the final. Their last appearance in the final was in 2014 when they fell 30-16 to Northampton Saints. Lyon, on the other hand, have had greater success in recent years, last winning the cup in 2022.
Bath, however, will arrive in Cardiff as favourites, having already secured their place at the top of the English Premiership table with one game still still to go, whereas Lyon find themselves floundering in 11th place in the Top 14.
If Lyon are to take an unexpected victory at the weekend, then they will need their best players on top form.
So, who are the key players? Let’s have a look.
Baptiste Couilloud
The 27-year-old scrum-half is the heartbeat of this French side with a keen eye for the try line.
He was reduced to just a substitute appearance against Stade Francais at the weekend – but don’t let that fool you, he’s expected to regain his number nine spot against Bath in the European final.
Lyon’s English opponents will need to ensure that they don’t give him any glimpse of free space, because his rapid acceleration off the mark will cause carnage behind the gainline.
His insistence on playing quick ball could easily catch the Bath backline off guard.
Despite being of ‘traditional scrum-half size’, Bath will do well not to underestimate Couilloud’s strength, as he’s known for his aggressive playing style.
Semi Radradra
This name will strike fear into the hearts of the boys from the West Country after dazzling for rivals Bristol in years gone by. Bath fans will remember – with a wince – how the flying Fijian once flew through the Bath defence from all of 60 metres during the Bears’ biggest ever Premiership win.
If Lyon are to gain the advantage over their English rivals, then Radradra will need to perform with the style that once made him the most feared midfielder in world rugby.
Sam Matavesi
It takes an impressive player to keep Camille Chat out of the starting berth, but that’s exactly what Matavesi has managed to do this season. When Chat arrived at Lyon in January following his unceremonious exit from Racing 92, many wondered just how the Fijian would fare with the extra competition at two, but the 33-year-old has flourished.
His experience will come in vital in ensuring that Lyon’s set-pieces tick like clockwork in the intense cauldron that is the Principality Stadium on Friday.
His likely opposite number, Tom Dunn, is in fine form himself, so the winner of that battle could truly help swing the result.