Perpignan v Clermont: Teams

Clermont are hoping to end their long run of Top 14 play-off disappointments when they tackle defending champions Perpignan in the final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Clermont will be taking part in their fourth successive final - and their 11th overall - however they have be left with the tag of chokers after failing to win once.

Their last defeat came in the 2009 final to Saturday's opponents Perpignan when they went down 22-13.

However despite the run of disappointments, hooker Mario Ledesma insists his side are up to cope with the pressure of the final.

"We prepared very well for the final last year," he insisted. "That cracks me up. We always hear 'Clermont are finished, they no longer play in the same way, they're not there mentally'.

"Certain players have taken that to heart, like Brock James over the last month, but the best response is what we brought to the pitch.

"Brock kicked a very important 50m drop-goal, penalty and conversion against Toulon."

Scrum-half Morgan Parra, who helped guide France to the Grand Slam, will take over as kicker for Clermont, with Australian outside-half James taking a backseat.

Attitude

Perpignan centre Maxime Mermoz has warned his side to expect a full-on physical encounter on Saturday.

The France international, who played a key role as Perpignan topped the league at the end of the season, believes Clermont will opt for a forwards orientated game.

"The attitude of the players has changed, and that shows in the way they play man-on-man," he said.

"They also used their forwards more, and rolling mauls to suck in defences and open up gaps for their backline."

Perpignan, who beat Heineken Cup champions Toulouse in their semi-final, will be missing South African flanker Gerrie Britz.

However winger Adrien Plante, lock Rimas Alvarez Kairelis and flanker Damien Chouly are in the match-day squad.