Preview: Bucharest v Leeds

Leeds have named a relatively strong side for their opening Amlin Challenge Cup match against Bucharest Oaks.

Leeds have named a relatively strong side for their opening Amlin Challenge Cup match against Bucharest Oaks.

Neil Back's men head to Bucharest having made seven changes to the starting line-up that lost to London Irish last weekend, but still boast a highly capable side.

In the staring fifteen, only hooker Phil Nilsen and flank Jacob Rowan are yet to turn out for Leeds this season while Scotland under 20 scrum-half Alex Black will make his debut for the club should he come off the bench.

It will be the second time that the teams have done battle on Romanian soil, with Leeds triumphing 10-6 last time out.

While Marin Mot's team are a largely unknown quantity, Back has called on his troops to focus on their own game and not worry about their lack of knowledge of their opposition.

“We haven't been able to get hold of any footage of them from this season however we obviously played against them last season and the squad looks very similar so we have some idea,” Back told the Leeds official website.

“In many ways this is similar to how rugby used to be before all the analysis and research on the opposition. You have to just worry about yourself and making sure you are ready to perform regardless of the side you face.

“You have to react and adapt to what is thrown up and that is what we will be looking for from the players on Saturday,” he added.

The teams:

Bucharest Oaks: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Michael Stephenson, 13 James Tincknell, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Henry Fa'afili, 10 Christian Lewis-Pratt, 9 Warren Fury, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Jacob Rowan, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Valentin Popirlan, 3 Miguel Alonso, 2 Phil Nilsen, 1 Gareth Hardy
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Mike MacDonald, 18 Jesus Moreno Rodriquez, 19 James Craig, 20 Daniel Browne, 21 Alex Black, 22 Ceiron Thomas, 23 Tom Denton

Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton,14 Michael Stephenson, 13 James Tincknell, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Henry Faafili, 10 Christian Lewis Pratt, 9 Warren Fury, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Jacob Rowan, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Sean Hohneck, 4 Tom Denton, 3 Miguel Alonso, 2 Phil Nilsen, 1 Gareth Hardy
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Mike Macdonald, 18 Jesus Moreno Rodriquez, 19 James Craig, 20 Daniel Browne, 21 Alex Black, 22 Ceiron Thomas, 23 Oliver Denton