News
Preview: Challenge Cup Pool 3
October 10 2008
Last season's finalists, Worcester, will be looking to go one better this year, although will not have things all their own way in Pool Three.
For starters they will have to get past the temperamental Bourgoin, who have a habit of fluffing their lines in Europe, but have the ability to trounce teams.
The other two sides, Bucuresti and Padova, are likely to be battling it out for third and fourth.
Bucuresti v Bourgoin
Romanian side Bucuresti will rely heavily on home-grown talent, especially international full-back Ionut Dimofte, who will start at fly-half on Sunday.
Bourgoin travel with a comparatively strong team, including young international hopeful Yann David in the centre, and last year's emerging star Morgan Parra on the bench.
Sunday 12th October 2008, Kick-off 16:30
Bucuresti: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Csaba Gal Minya, 11 Madalin Lemnaru, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Ryan McCarthy, 8 Stelian Burcea, 7 Zane Winslade, 6 Alexandru Grigore, 5 Valentin Ursache, 4 Valentin Popirlan, 3 Mihai Lazar, 2 Bogdan Zebega, 1 Nicolae Nere.
Replacements: 16 Florin Tasca, 17 Radu Basalau, 18 Bogdan Petreanu, 19 Daniel Bejan, 20 Florin Surugiu, 21 Dan Dumbrava, 22 Gheorghita Bigiu.
Bourgoin: 15 David Janin, 14 Matthieu Nicolas, 13 Matias Viazzo, 12 Yann David, 11 Mael Moinot, 10 Benjamin Boyet, 9 Mickaël Forest, 8 Yann Labrit, 7 Bogdan Leonte, 6 Sylvain Nicolas, 5 Camille Levast, 4 Bryce Williams, 3 Vincent Pelo, 2 Tone Alefa Kopelani, 1 Wessel Roux.
Replacements: 16 Remy Vigneaux, 17 Arnaud Tchougong, 18 Karena Wihongi, 19 Coenraad Basson, 20 Thomas Genevois, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Anthony Forest.
Date: Sunday 12 October, 2008
Kick-off: 16:30 BST (15:30 GMT)
Venue: Arcul de Triumf
Referee: Alan Falzone (Italy)
Padova v Worcester
Padova line up with former Gloucester 'Monsieur Points' Ludovic Mercier at full-back, and Fijian international Domo Domolailai in the second row.
Chris Latham makes a European debut at full-back for Worcester, who also include most of their back-line big guns in Rico Gear, Sam Tuitoupu, and emerging fly-half Matthew Jones.
Padova: 15 Ludovic Mercier, 14 Lorenzo Innocenti, 13 Marco Rosa, 12 Roberto Bertetti, 11 Warren Spragg, 10 Nick Little, 9 Davide Pastormerlo, 8 Zane Ansell, 7 Nicolas Galatro (c), 6 Paul Derbyshire, 5 Gonzalo Padrea, 4 Domo Domolailai, 3 Michele Matteralia, 2 Lorenzo Giovanchelli, 1 Chris Caporello.
Replacements: 16 Mariano Gastaldi, 17 Nicola Gatto, 18 Tino Paoletti, 19 Wilhelm Stoltz, 20 Emmanuel Billot, 21 Martin Acuna, 22 Nicola Bezzati.
Worcester: 15 Chris Latham (c), 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Fellows, 10 Matthew Jones, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Kai Horstmann, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Kitch Kitchener, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Darren Morris,
Replacements: 16 Callum Black, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Shaun Ruwers, 19 Greg Rawlinson, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Ryan Powell, 22 Loki Crichton.
Date: Saturday 11 October, 2008
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Venue: Plebiscito
Referee: David Rosich (France)