News
Preview: Challenge Cup Pool Three
December 04 2008
Action in Pool Three of the European Challenge Cup kicks off in France on Friday when Worcester visit Bourgoin. On Sunday, Padova travel to Bucarest.
Bourgoin v Worcester Warriors
Worcester will hand Joe Carlisle his first senior start of the season when they face Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup at the Stade Pierre Rajon on Friday.
Fly-half Carlisle comes into the starting line-up with fit-again Loki Crichton moving to full-back. Chris Pennell has been ruled out of the game with an ankle injury.
"Joe has a huge amount of ability and his passing is as good as anything I have ever seen during my time in coaching," said Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock.
"He has a good rugby brain on his shoulders and makes good decisions. Joe has the ability to have a very good all-round game.
"He came on in the final last year against Bath and made things happen and kicked a conversion from the touchline. Joe has all the tools and now it is time to find out how good he is.
"It is a great chance for him in a cauldron in Bourgoin with a passionate crowd behind the home side. This will be a good indicator to us as to whether Joe is going to take the next step on. It's time for him to push the guys above him and show us he can do it."
Warriors also make a change at centre where Alex Grove starts with Sam Tuitupou ruled out of the game. The New Zealand centre has flown home due to a family illness.
Ruddock has made one change in the pack with Chris Horsman starting at prop and Tevita Taumoepeau moving to the replacements.
Academy products Jonny Arr, Greg King and Charlie Fellows are among the players named on the bench.
For the home side, French international scrum-half Morgan Parra makes his return from injury. He will play inside stalwart fly-half Benjamin Boyet.
Bourgoin: 15 Florian Denos, 14 Matthieu Nicolas, 13 David Janin, 12 Matias Viazzo, 11 Rudi Coetzee, 10 Benjamin Boyet, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Yann Labrit, 7 Bogdan Leonte, 6 Sylvain Nicolas, 5 Wessel Jooste, 4 Coenraad Basson, 3 Karena Wihongi, 2 Rémy Vigneaux, 1 Arnaud Tchougong.
Replacements: 16 Jean-Philippe Genevois, 17 Pascal Peyron, 18 Pablo Cardinali, 19 Thomas Genevois, 20 Jérémy Gondrand, 21 Franck Romanet, 22 Sebastien Laloo.
Worcester: 15 Loki Crichton, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Alex Grove, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Netani Talei, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Chris Horsman, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Taumoepeau, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Matt Cox, 20 Jonny Arr, 21 Greg King, 22 Charlie Fellows.
Date: Friday, December 5
Venue: Pierre Rajon
Kick-off: 20:30 (19:30 GMT)
Referee: Colin Stanley (Ireland)
Touch judges: Peter Haycock (Ireland), Ken Beggs (Ireland)
Bucuresti v Padova
Bucuresti represents an awkward trip unless you are on the ball, and Padova are firing all their big guns. Gloucester's former Monsieur Points makes the trip, as do Uruguayan wing Martin Acuna, former Ulster centre Mark Bartholomeusz, Fijian international fly-half Nicky Little, Italian international back-rowers Gonzalo Padro and Paul Derbyshire, former Cheetahs lock Wilhelm Stoltz, and former Newcastle prop Tino Paoletti.
Bucuresti have a glut of Romanian internationals on show, reinforced by Tongan winger Jeff Makapelu and Kiwi back-rower Zane Winslade.
Bucuresti: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Jeff Makapelu, 13 Catalin Dascalu, 12 Csaba Gal Minya, 11 Stefan Ciuntu, 10 Ben Aoina, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Daniel Carpo, 7 Zane Winslade, 6 Stelian Burcea, 5 Mihai Lazar, 4 Mihai Macovei, 3 Radu Basalau, 2 Florin Tasca, 1 Nicolae Nere.
Replacements: 16 Andrei Radoi, 17 Flavius Dobre, 18 Vali Ivan, 19 Ionel Cazan, 20 Gheorghita Bigiu, 21 Madalin Lemnaru, 22 Dorin Manole.
Padova: 15 Ludovic Mercier, 14 Martin Acuna, 13 Mark Bartholomeusz, 12 Silao Leaega, 11 Lorenzo Innocenti, 10 Nick Little, 9 Davide Pastormerlo, 8 Gonzalo Padrò, 7 Nicolas Galatro, 6 Paul Derbyshire, 5 Wilhelm Stoltz, 4 Agustin Cavalieri, 3 Tino Paoletti, 2 Lorenzo Giovanchelli, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Chistolini Chistolini, 17 Michele Matteralia, 18 Domo Domolailai, 19 Emmanuel Billot, 20 Nicola Bezzati, 21 Roberto Bertetti, 22 Marco Rosa.
Date: Sunday, December 7
Venue: Arcul de Triumf
Kick-off: 16.30 (15.30 GMT)
Referee: Patrick Pechambert (France)