European Champions Cup: Racing Metro v Northampton Saints preview
Last Updated: 18/10/14 5:14pm
Reigning Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints launch their European Rugby Champions Cup bid with an eagerly-anticipated clash with Top 14 heavyweights Racing Metro at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
Neither side managed to make it out of the pool stages of the Heineken Cup last term, however, with the dawning of a new era in the Champions Cup both will be eager to make amends.
Racing have won just one of their last eight matches in Europe, losing six and drawing one, while Northampton have not progressed beyond the group stage since their final appearance in 2010/11.
Much of the success Saints did enjoy last season came from their line-out, winning more (14.8) than any other side, while no man stole more ball (seven) than England lock Courtney Lawes.
Racing have only won two of their eight games against Premiership sides and Wales winger George North is desperate for Northampton to make a flying start to their campaign as they look to add to their domestic triumph.
"It would be massive," 22-year-old North told Premiership Rugby. "I was privileged to be part of Northampton winning the Premiership last season so if we get a European one as well, that would be outstanding for the repertoire.
“But not just that - it is obviously the club and how hard the boys have worked to get that. There are some tough groups out there but I think on the European stage if it was easy it wouldn't be as illustrious as it is.
"It is massive pressure and you have got to be on it every game. Regardless of whether you're home or away and what team it is, you've got to make sure your own house is in order, ready for that battle.”
Team news
Despite rumours circulating in the French press regarding a homecoming for several Wales internationals, Jamie Roberts and Luke Charteris are both named in the Racing squad.
Roberts starts and Charteris is benched, meaning the chances of a return to Wales could be over with the duo essentially now cup-tied for European competition.
Fresh from helping Argentina in their first Rugby Championship win over Australia Juan Imhoff takes the Racing wing; he is joined in a pacey back three by France full-back Brice Dulin and Marc Andreu.
Meanwhile, the long-term absence of Alex Corbisiero is the main qualm for Saints’ coach Neil Mallinder, though Alex Waller proved last season in the Premiership he is a more than capable understudy.
Domineering second-row Lawes starts alongside Christian Day, while England flanker tom Wood teams up with Calum Clark and Samu Manoa in the back row.
Ben Foden retains the No 15 jersey for the Premiership champions with North and Ken Pisi treading the wings and Luther Burrell joining George Pisi in midfield.
Racing Metro: 15 Brice Dulin; 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Alexandre Dumoulin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Marc Andreu; 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Maxime Machenaud; 1 Julien Brugnaut, 2 Virgile Lacombe, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 4 Juandre Kruger, 5 Francois van der Merwe (capt), 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 8 Antonie Claassen.
Replacements: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Camille Gerondeau, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Johannes Goosen, 23 Yoan Audrin.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden; 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North; 10 Steve Myler, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i; 1 Alex Waller, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Christian Day, 6 Calum Clark, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Samu Manoa.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 James Craig, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 James Wilson, 23 Jamie Elliott.
Watch Racing Metro v Northampton Saints live on Sky Sports HD from 6:15pm