Perpignan v L Irish: Teams

Perpignan welcome back World Cup-winning full-back Percy Montgomery to their line up as they look to avenge their 24-16 defeat to London Irish last Sunday.

Montgomery has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury in South Africa's World Cup final success over England on October 20.

However, he has now declared himself fit to make his debut for the French outfit.

He said: "I made the decision after consulting with the club. My knee isn't giving me trouble any more."

Montgomery is one of four changes made by Perpignan in the backs, with Federico Martin Aramburu and a new half-back pairing of Cédric Rosalen and Chris Cusiter.

In the forwards, only captain Perry Freshwater, Nathan Hines and Damien Chouly retain their places.

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith insists his side will travel to Perpignan full of confidence after winning all three of their pool games.

However, Smith is in no doubt that Perpignan will pose a completely different threat to the side they beat 26-18 at home.

Magnificent

Smith said: "We had to work hard at Madejski Stadium last Sunday to keep our unbeaten record in the pool.

"Our pack was magnificent in difficult conditions on what can best be described as a feisty afternoon!

"We face a completely different set of circumstances on Saturday. Perpignan have an exceptional home record in the competition and we know that we will face as intimidating an atmosphere as any we've encountered in Europe.

"We go there full of confidence and with the knowledge that if we give of our best anything is possible."

Smith has made two changes for the match, with All Black prop Clarke Dermody and Canadian No.8 Phil Murphy named in the starting XV.

Perpignan: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Christophe Manas, 13 Federico Martin Aramburu, 12 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 11 Adrien Plante, 10 Cédric Rosalen, 9 Chris Cusiter, 1 Perry Freshwater (c), 2 Guilhem Guirado, 3 Kisi Pulu, 4 Olivier Olibeau, 5 Nathan Hines, 6 Gerrie Britz, 7 Damien Chouly, 8 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis.
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ladhuie, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Guillaume Vilaceca, 19 Charles Geli, 20 Nicolas Durand, 21 Steve Meyer, 22 Jérôme Porical.

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Tomas De Vedia, 13 Delon Armitage, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Mike Catt, 9 Peter Richards, 1 Clarke Dermody, 2 David Paice, 3 Richard Skuse, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bob Casey (c), 6 Kieran Roche, 7 Declan Danaher, 8 Phil Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 Steffon Armitage, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Shane Geraghty.