News
Preview: Challenge Cup Pool One
December 04 2008
The European Challenge Cup is back and to kick off proceedings Dax - still in search of a win in the competition - host Pool One leaders London Irish at the Stade Maurice Boyau on Friday. Irish club Connacht make the trip to face Rovigo in Italy the next day.
Dax v London Irish
London Irish have made just one change to the starting line-up of the team that took the club to the top of the Guinness Premiership last weekend for Friday's away match with U.S. Dax in the European Challenge Cup.
The change is in the front row where Alex Corbisiero rotates with Clarke Dermody at loose head prop.
The 22-man match squad features eleven full internationals, a reflection of the club's seriousness about the fixture. A good result in France will consolidate the Exiles' position at the top of its qualifying pool in the Challenge Cup.
Dax: 15 David Bortolussi, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Florian Argel, 12 Duncan Bell, 11 Laurent Diaz, 10 Maxime Petitjean, 9 Nicolas Morlaes, 8 Pierre Caillet(c), 7 Justin Pendanx, 6 Bastien Adrillon, 5 Anthony Mazel,4 Cédric Guironnet, 3 Nicolas Decamps, 2 Jimmy Jaen, 1 Jérémy Castex,
Replacements: 16 Kas Lealamanua, 17 William Bonet, 18 Mickaël Bert, 19 Jean-Baptiste Cros, 20 Neumi Nanuku, 21 Gavin Williams, 22 Jean Baptiste Peze.t
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seveali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 Kieran Roche, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 David Paice, 1 Alex Corbisiero,
Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 James Buckland, 18 Clarke Dermody, 19 James Hudson, 20 Gary Johnson, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Charlie Gower.
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Stade Maurice Boyau
Kick-off: 19:00 (18:00 GMT)
Referee: Alan Falzone (Italy)
Rovigo v Connacht
Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made two changes to the side to take on Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup in Italy on Saturday.
Daniel Riordan comes into the back-line for the injured Mel Deane while in the forwards Andrew Browne has been drafted in for Colm Rigney, who has also been ruled out through injury.
Gavin Duffy will captain the side and moves to outside centre, while Fionn Carr reverting to full-back.
Rovigo: 15 Stefan Basson, 14 Pablo Calanchini, 13 Juan Pablo Sanchez, 12 Norman di Maura, 11 Andrea Bacchetti, 10 German Bustos, 9 Juan Cruz Legora, 8 Jacobus Immelman, 7 Johan Britz, 6 Younes Anouer, 5 Marco Barion, 4 Tomasso Reato, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Valerio Vicere, 1 Bruno Fortuna.
Replacements: 16 Andrea de Marchi, 17 Luke Mahoney, 18 Daniele Tumiati, 19 Niccolò Badocchi, 20 Stefano Canale, 21 Stefano Ambrosio, 22 Filippo Aretusini.
Connacht: 15 Fionn Carr, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Gavin Duffy (c), 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Daniel Riordan, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Ray Ofisa, 7 Jonny O'Connor, 6 Michael McCarthy, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 19 Michael Swift, 20 David Gannon, 21 Kieran Campbell, 21 Tom Donnelly, 22 John Hearty.
Date: Saturday, December 6
Venue: Stadio Matteo Battaglini
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)