News
Preview: Challenge Cup Pool 1
October 09 2008
Pool One of the European Challenge Cup is a cosmopolitan affair, with sides from England, Ireland, France and Italy.
In the opening weekend Dax play host to Connacht, and last season's Heineken Cup semi-finalists London Irish welcome Rovigo to the Madejski Stadium.
Dax v Connacht
Connacht go into Friday's game chock-full of confidence, having beaten Magners League champions Leinster last time out.
Head Coach Michael Bradley knows it will be a tough test for his players, but believes that win over Leinster will stand them in good stead.
"It's a good win and gives us something to build on," said Bradley.
"We worked hard and played sensible rugby when it was required and deserved the win.
"But we need to move on quickly as there is a short turnaround for the Dax match.
"We leave on Wednesday morning so it is vital that everyone is in the right frame of mind because this will be a tough test as they have chalked up some impressive results in the French Top 14."
Ireland flanker Jonny O'Connor packs down along side Colm Rigney and captain John Muldoon, whilst former Leicester scrum-half Frank Murphy is preferred to Kieran Campbell at nine.
There is also international experience in the front row, where England cap Robbie Morris starts at tighthead, with Brett Wilkinson at loosehead.
Dax will be confident of causing Connacht problems, and field a solid-looking side. Maxime Petitjean starts at fly-half, and will punish any Connacht indiscretions with his accurate boot.
In the pack Six Nations squad player Julien Brugnaut gets the nod to start at loosehead, and is joined in the front row by William Bonet and Jérémy Castex.
Dax: 15 Laurent Diaz, 14 Bruno Hiriart, 13 Laurent Marticorena, 12 Duncan Bell, 11 Paul Albaladejo, 10 Maxime Petitjean, 9 Jean Baptiste Pezet, 8 Pierre Caillet, 7 Vincent Deniau, 6 SW Goodwin, 5 Anthony Mazel, 4 Cédric Guironnet, 3 Jérémy Castex, 2 William Bonet, 1 Julien Brugnaut.
Replacements: 16 Mattin Auzqui, 17 Jimmy Jaen, 18 Christopher Poulain, 19 Jean-Baptiste Cros, 20 Justin Pendanx, 21 Florian Argel, 22 Jordi Rouge.
Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Liam Bibo, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Mel Deane, 11 Mike Roberts, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Colm Rigney, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Joe Merrigan, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Andrew Browne, 19 Ray Ofisa, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Troy Nathan, 22 John Hearty.
Date: Friday 10 October, 2008
Kick-off: 19:00 BST (18:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Maurice Boyau
Referee: Andrew Small (England)
Touch judges: Ashley Rowden (England), Andrew Pearce (England)
Assessor: Douglas Kerr (Scotland)
London Irish v Rovigo
London Irish's attention turns from domestic competition to European club rugby this weekend as they host Rovigo.
Having made the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup last season they will be out to return to the top table courtesy of winning this tournament.
The side named by coach Toby Booth is unchanged from that which was fielded in their last Guinness Premiership game.
"Last season all of us connected with London Irish - players, management, directors and supporters, enjoyed the Heineken Cup experience and want to return to that tournament so that we can relive what was a special adventure," said Booth.
"That is one objective we've set ourselves this season, the other is to win silverware. Performing well in the European Challenge Cup and winning it is one route to fulfilling two of our objectives."
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Peter Hewat, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Richard Thorpe, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 Nick Kennedy 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 James Buckland, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Declan Danaher, 20 Adam Thompstone, 21 Peter Richards, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Rovigo: Tba
Date: Saturday 11 October, 2008
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Touch judges: Stephan Pomarède (France), Didier Dussaut (France)
Television match official: Bob Ockenden (England)