Champions Cup 24/25 - Round 1

[Leonormous Boozer]

Really looking forward to all the fixtures this weekend. Not sure why there's so much negativity over the competition, it's loads better than all the rubbish international series?

Safe travels for everyone.

Ah it's just not the same! Shame we're playing you on a Sunday, would have been tempted for a Saturday game. Same with our trip to La Rochelle!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Heavy rotation, anyone who started 4 internationals on the bench or rested (Joe McCarthy aside maybe).

The age of Byrne is over.

 

[Rinkadink]

Heavy rotation, anyone who started 4 internationals on the bench or rested (Joe McCarthy aside maybe).

The age of Byrne is over.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That's so good hahah

 

[Gavin]

I bit the bullet and got Premier Sports. The cost was cushioned by the £50 discount code I found online.

So £70 for a year isn't too bad

 

[irisht]

Prendergast starting.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Will Addison, 13. Sam Bedlow, 12. Luke James, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez ©, 9. Gus Warr, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Tadgh McElroy, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. JL du Preez, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements:
16. Harry Thompson, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Jonny Hill, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Sam Dugdale.



Hill on the bench

 

[Groundhog]

MUNSTER: Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Thaakir Abrahams; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron (C), John Ryan; Evan O'Connell, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O'Mahony, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

REPLACEMENTS: Niall Scannell, Kieran Ryan, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, John Hodnett, Paddy Patterson, Billy Burns, Jack O'Donoghue.

Somewhat weird selection. Haley concussed I'm guessing, Ahern not in the injury report, was reported as having a knock but not here. Beirne rested, fair enough I back it. Kendellen starting over Hodnett and PFP ahead of Murray. Huge chance for O'Connell, one he wouldn't be getting if Ahern, Edogbo or Kleyn was fit and Beirne didn't have so many minutes. Hope he goes well.

Stade: 15. Joe Jonas, 14. Charles Laloi, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Pierre Boudehent, 11. Samuel Ezeala, 10. Zack Henry, 9. Thibaut Motassi, 1. Clement Castets, 2. Lucas Peyresblanques, 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela
, 4. Pierre-Henri Azagoh, 5. Baptiste Pesenti, 6. Pierre Huguet, 7. Ryan Chapuis (c), 8. Yoan Tanga

Replacements: 16. Luka Petriashvili, 17. Moses Alo-Emile, 18. Paul Alo-Emile, 19. Setareki Turagacoke, 20. Andy Timo, 21. Juan Martin Scelzo, 22. Louis Foursans-Bourdette, 23. Louis Carbonel

Well, Stade haven't gone full whack, couldn't accuse them of playing the kids either, what with a 40 year old Tighthead

 

[irisht]

Surely Munster should hammer that side.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Was hoping Munster would make a bit of ground in Europe this year, hopefully til we meet them in a QF / SF for a day in Croker.

Good opportunity so hopefully they turn it around.

 

[Groundhog]

A game we absolutely should win, yeah. Stade can't afford to prioritise this, but we made a mess of that last year.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Let me tell you, benneton vs clermont really gets the loins going.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Let me tell you, benneton vs clermont really gets the loins going.

Ah Bennetton qualify under any previous format. A bit ***** this year though.

 

[IT157]

Really looking forward to all the fixtures this weekend. Not sure why there's so much negativity over the competition, it's loads better than all the rubbish international series?

Safe travels for everyone.

I like having the South African sides involved. But I have always had a soft spot for them.

 

[Scotty]

I bit the bullet and got Premier Sports. The cost was cushioned by the £50 discount code I found online.

So £70 for a year isn't too bad

Assumed it was on TNT, does Premier Sports have full catch up? I might just get it for a month but can't watch some of the games live.

 

[TopTen2003]

Bath fans how are you feeling against La Rochelle tonight?

No Ollie Lawrence?

Looking forward to this one

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I can't stress how much I want Bath to win.

 

[Which Tyler]

Bath fans how are you feeling against La Rochelle tonight?

No Ollie Lawrence?

Looking forward to this one

Spencer out, Schrueder to start, TCS on the bench

 

[Rinkadink]

That's so good hahah

Laughed every time I've watched it, also; accurate!

I have honestly not felt this intimidated by an opposition team announcement in quite some time. Not saying it's a write off but that is an utterly ridiculous Leinster 23. Am I right in thinking 13 Ireland internationals in the starting XV and 1 French? Bench is insane and speaks similarly for itself.

Here's our lads;

Bristol Bears team face Leinster at Ashton Gate in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday (5.30pm KO, live on Premier Sport):

15. Rich Lane (43 apps),
14. Jack Bates (43 apps),
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (13 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (32 apps),
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (49 apps),
10. AJ MacGinty (44 apps),
9. Harry Randall (131 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (49 apps),
2. Harry Thacker (120 apps),
3. Max Lahiff (95 apps),
4. James Dun (41 apps),
5. Joe Owen (20 apps),
6. Santiago Grondona (4 apps),
7. Fitz Harding (c) (80 apps),
8. Viliame Mata (1 app).

System players: 16. Gabriel Oghre (25 apps), Jake Woolmore (158 apps), 18. Lovejoy Chawatama (4 apps), 19. Steven Luatua (136 apps), 20. Benjamin Grondona (11 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (33 apps), 22. Joe Jenkins (19 apps), 23. Benjamin Elizalde (6 apps).

Unavailable: Sam Grahamslaw, Tom Doughty, George Kloska, Joe Batley, Josh Caulfield, Steele Barker, George Taylor, Kofi Cripps, Sam Wolstenholme, James Williams, Noah Heward, Deago Bailey, Max Malins.

About the best we can put out given the availability. It is winnable but Bristol cannot afford to make some of the errors that have crept in lately, I can only think they will be punished more by a Leinster side full of talent. With that said Bristol attack is quite unique and could be challenging. No idea how it will be officiated or how Sunday's weather will turn out so that may play a factor also.

Speaking of, I need to secure some things outside given the red alert warning I had before the first game starts.

 

[Scotty]

That team is unreal, but least it drops off when the bench comes on....oh wait you have the first choice Ireland No.1 and 8, SA 5 and Nz 12 to come off the bench? Love to know the market value of that team.

Also great post by Bristol