Preview: Perpignan v Treviso
January 22 2010
Perpignan have named Henry Tuilagi at number eight as they look to exact Round One revenge over Treviso at Stade Aimé Giral on Friday.
The Catalans have, however, opted for a largely second-string side with their Heineken Cup hopes for 2009/10 well-and-truly ended after defeats to Munster, Northampton and a shock loss away to the Italians that stunted their charge.
Nicolas Laharrague is in at fly-half inside David Marty, who returns at outside centre, while there is a strong back-row line-up alongside Tuilagi for USAP. Gerrie Britz will run on at blindside while the impressive Jean-Pierre Perez starts again.
Meanwhile, Treviso will unbelievably be looking to make it a Heineken Cup double over Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral following their 9-8 victory on home soil.
October's shock result caused a massive stir in the competition and subsequently left their French visitors struggling after only Round One.
The Italians team selection suggests that they believe they can do the job as Gonzalo Garcia, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Luke McLean and Andy Vilk all start.
The teams:
Perpignan: 15 Joffrey Michel, 14 Christophe Manas, 13 David Marty, 12 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 11 Farid Sid, 10 Nicolas Laharrague, 9 Florian Cazenave, 8 Henry Tuilagi, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez (capt), 6 Gerrie Britz, 5 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 4 Yoann Vivalda, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Charles Geli, 1 Sebastien Chobet.
Replacements: 16 Marius Tincu, 17 Perry Freshwater, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Robins Tchale Watchou, 20 David Mele, 21 Gavin Hume, 22 Jérôme Porical, 23 Damien Chouly.
Treviso: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Emiliano Mulieri, 13 Alberto Sgarbi, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Andrew Vilk, 10 Marius Goosen, 9 Simon Picone, 8 Dion Kingi, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Benjamin Vermaak, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Augusto Allori, 18 Pedro di Santo, 19 Enrico Pavanello, 20 Silvio Orlando, 21 Fabio Semenzato, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 Benjamin de Jager.
Date: Friday, January 22
Kick-off: 20:00
Venue: Stade Aimé Giral
Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Assistant referees: David Changleng (Scotland), Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)
