Castres v Montpellier: Springbok Du Plessis in for banned Kubriashvili

Jannie du Plessis starts in place of Davit Kubriashvili this week

Montpellier will be without prop Davit Kubriashvili for their return Champions Cup fixture against Top 14 rivals Castres, live on Sky Sports.

Kubriashvili was shown red by Welsh referee Ben Whitehouse for striking Thibault Lassale in the face with his shoulder at a ruck in last weekend's reverse fixture.

But Castres failed to capitalise on the extra man as Montpellier clawed their way back from 11-10 down at half-time to pull off an impressive comeback for a 36-14 win.

Tighthead prop Kubriashvili has been replaced by Jannie du Plessis, who is promoted from the bench for this week's clash.

Just three points separate the clubs in the Top 14, with Montpellier sitting second and Castres fifth, but importantly ahead of this weekend, both sides remain in the hunt for the knock-out stages in what is a very tight pool in the Champions Cup.

Leinster lead with 11 points, with Montpellier in second with 10 - and the only team in the group to topple the Irish province. Castres remain third on five points, with Northampton Saints in last place with four points.

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Highlights of Montpellier's Champions Cup clash with Castres last week

Castres' home form has been impressive in the opening half of the season - they haven't lost at the Stade Pierre-Antoine since their defeat to this season's Top 14 surprise package La Rochelle on September 3.

Since then Castres have put together six consecutive home wins, a 41-7 demolition of the Saints on Round 2.

Jake White's outfit are the only side to lose to Northampton in the pool, and have lost four games on the road this season.

Castres: 15 Geoffrey Palis, 14 Julien Caminati, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Florian Vialelle, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 9 Rory Kockott; 1 Mihaita Lazar, 2 Marc-Antoine Rallier, 3 Damien Tussac, 4 Loic Jacquet, 5 Victor Moreaux, 6 Yannick Caballero, 7 Steve Mafi, 8 Anthony Jelonch.

Replacements: 16 Brice Mach, 17 Tudor Stroe, 18 Yohan Montes, 19 Thibault Lassale, 20 Alexandre Bias, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Julien Dumora, 23 Pierre Berard.

Montpellier: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Joseph Tomane, 12 Alexandre Dumoulin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic White; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Jannie Du Plessis, 4 Konstantine Mikautadze, 5 Nicholaas Van Rensburg, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 7 Kelian Galletier, 8 Akapusi Qera.

Replacements: 16 Romain Ruffenach, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Antoine Guillamon, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Antoine Battut, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Henry Immelman, 23 Yvan Reilhac.