Preview: Clermont v Sale
Sale are struggling with injuries for their trip to Clermont, with both Mathew Tait and Andrew Sheridan ruled out of the match with hamstring and arm injuries respectively.
Sale are struggling with injuries for their trip to Clermont, with both Mathew Tait and Andrew Sheridan ruled out of the match with hamstring and arm injuries respectively.
Charlie Hodgson has been relegated to the bench fo the match, with Richard Wigglesworth in at fly-half.
Rory Lamont is named at full-back, and Sheridan's spot is taken by Lionel Faure.
“Games don't come any tougher than this,” said Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre.
“Clermont topped the French table last year and have started well this season.
“They will attack from the start and we need to be ready for them.
“It's been a difficult week preparing for the game with Mathew Tait pulling out with a sore hamstring but both he and Andrew Sheridan should be fit to return for the Munster game.”
Meanwhile, the hosts have named a very strong side, though captain Aurélien Rougerie will not be available until the end of the year.
Both first choice centres, former Springbok Marius Joubert and Italian Gonzalo Canale international are also absent. Joubert has been sidelined by a knock to the ribs. Fijian Seremaïa Baï and former Toulouse player Benoit Baby will thus form the midfield combination.
Anthony Floch will start at full-back in an all international and extremely dangerous back-three while up front Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma will anchor the front row.
Form: Clermont had a sticky start to the Top 14, but are now lying fourth having won their last three matches. Sale have had a better start domestically, but have lost their last two matches.
Prediction: Clermont are just getting into gear, while Sale's run has skidded to a halt. Clermont by 12 points
Clermont: 15 Anthony Floch, 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 13 Benoit Baby, 12 Seremaïa Baï, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Brock James, 9 Pierre Mignoni, 8 Elvis Vermeulen (c), 7 Alexandre Audebert, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 5 Thibaut Privat, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Laurent Emmanuelli.
Remplacements: 16 Mirko Lozupone, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Christophe Samson, 19 Emmanuel Etien; 20 John Senio, 21 Pierre-Manuel Garcia, 22 Arnaud Mignardi
Sale: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 David Doherty, 10 Richard Wigglesworth, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Luke Abrahams, 6 JM Fernandez Lobbe (c), 5 Kristian Ormsby, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Jason White, 19 Dean Schofield, 20 Charlie Hodgson, 21 Chris Bell, 22 Rudi Keil.
Date: Saturday October 11
Venue: Stade Marcel Michelin
Kick-off: 14.35 (12.35 GMT)
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Eanna O'Dowd (Ireland), Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Television match official: John Sheehan (Ireland)