Preview: Racing-Métro v Clermont

Domestic champions Clermont travel to Top 14 leaders Racing-Métro for a crunch Heineken Cup battle in the French capital on Saturday.

Domestic champions Clermont travel to Top 14 leaders Racing-Métro for a crunch Heineken Cup battle in the French capital on Saturday.

The sides have already met once this season – in the Top 14 – when an under-strength Clermont side lost 28-17 in Paris. A similar result looks on the cards as the visitors have made a total of eleven changes to the squad that beat Saracens last week.

Already without wing Benjamin Fall (back) and fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez (Thigh) Racing-Métro will have to make do without Springbok full-back/ centre François Steyn who is struggling with a calf niggle.

As expected sharp-shooting fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski is fit however and will wear the number ten jersey.

Clermont have a much-changed team as they cope with a number of injuries and a suspension. No less than eight players who did duty against Saracens will not travel to Paris.

Hooker Mario Ledesma had knee surgery this week while lock Jamie Cudmore has been banned until mid-December. Les Jaunards will also head to the capital without Lionel Faure, Julien Bonnaire, Alexandre Lapandry, Marius Joubert, Aurélien Rougerie, Anthony Floch and Brock James.

Julien Pierre makes his return to the sqaad however and will skipper the side in Rougerie's absence.

The teams:

Racing-Métro 92:15 Dan Scarbrough, 14 Sereli Bobo, 13 Albert VuliVuli, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Julien Saubade, 10 Jonathan Wisniewski, 9 Nicolas Durand, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 John Leo'o, 5 Jone Qovu Nailiko, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Mikaele Tuugahala, 2 Benjamin Noirot, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Scott Zimmermann, 18 Julien Brugnaut, 19 Santiago Dellape, 20 Jerome Fillol, 21 Mirco Bergamasco, 22 Remi Vaquiin, 23 Antoine Batut,

ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Benoît Baby, 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 13 Wesley Fofana, 12 Gavin Williams, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Kevin Senio, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Alexandre Audebert, 6 Jason White, 5 Loic Jacquet, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Vincent Debaty.
Replacements:16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Thibaut Privat, 20 Elvis Vermeulen, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Gonzalo Canale, 23 Brent Russell,

Date: Saturday, October 16
Venue: Stade Olympique Yves du Manoir, Paris
Kick-off: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens