Clermont v Ospreys: Teams

Clermont have named a strong side to take on the Ospreys for what is arguably the biggest game of the Heineken Cup's Round Five.

The hosts possess threats all over the field but it is in their backs where names such as Napolioni Nalaga, Aurélien Rougerie and Brock James stand out.

Victory for Clermont would set up a mouth-watering final round in Pool 3, with Leicester expected to pick up a maximum against Viadana this weekend.

Meanwhile, Pool leaders the Ospreys have decided to leave Shane Williams and James Hook on the bench for their daunting trip to France.

And Head Coach Sean Holley is under no illusions as to what his region faces when they run out against the Les Jaunards on Saturday.

"We face a team who are one of the leading sides in Europe and who are coming into the game in a rich vein of form," he said.

Challenge

"They've been on a good run lately and picked up some good wins, most notably away to Toulouse last weekend which put them top in the Top 14 so we know the size of the challenge that we are up against on Saturday afternoon.

"We've had a good look at their strengths and weaknesses, and it's been interesting viewing to be honest. They've got a good set-piece game and they like to play attacking rugby using their big, strong backs.

"We know that we are going to be put under pressure by them and their passionate supporters, but we have to stand up to that."

Clermont: 15 Anthony Floch, 14 Napolioni Nalaga, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Seremaïa Bai, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Brock James, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 5 Thibaut Privat, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Martin Scelzo, 19 Julien Pierre, 20 Alexandre Audebert, 21 Kevin Senio, 22 Brent Russell, 23 Gonzalo Canale.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Jones (capt), 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jonathan Thomas, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Filo Tiatia, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 James Hook, 23 Shane Williams.