European Rugby Champions Cup: Racing Metro Paris v Ospreys preview

After being denied victory late on in Swansea, Racing Metro Paris will be desperate to put their home advantage to effective use as they host Ospreys at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Saturday.

A 74th-minute Josh Matavesi try, converted by Dan Biggar, saw the Welsh region snatch an unlikely draw against the French heavyweight last weekend to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages just about alive.

Had it not been for a rushed, and subsequently squandered, penalty attempt from Biggar, they could have claimed victory, but there is no time to lament what could have been.

Ospreys are in the French capital for a rematch seven days on and victory is a must if they are to stand any chance of making the quarter-finals.

Racing enter Round Four level on points with reigning Aviva Premiership champions Northampton Saints at the Pool Five summit, but a bonus-point victory over Benetton Treviso for the Midlands club, coupled with a return fixture this weekend, means the Parisians can ill-afford a slip-up on home soil.

It is the first time Racing Metro will play at the ground located inside the Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the famous Le Mans 24 hour race, though.

Although Dan Lydiate’s transfer from Racing Metro to Ospreys was confirmed during the week, he will not feature against his former employers.

There are six changes to the Racing backline, with fly-half Johan Goosen the lone man to retain his place.

France full-back Brice Dulin returns to the starting line-up with international wingers Juan Imhoff and Teddy Thomas completing the back three, while Henry Chavancy and Jamie Roberts team up in the centres.

Maxime Machenaud, who was named among the replacements last weekend, is promoted to the starting XV and joins Goosen in the half-backs.

For Ospreys, there are just two changes from the side that clinched a late share of the spoils, with Steve Tandy bringing Hanno Dirksen on the right wing in place of Tom Grabham.

Dirksen joins Daniel Evans and Eli Walker at the back, while try-scorer from last time out Matavesi resumes his midfield combination with Ashley Beck.

Wales’ player of the autumn Biggar gets the nod at No 10 while Rhys Webb is named at scrum-half behind a pack which sees just one change.

The injured Lloyd Peers is replaced by Rynier Bernardo, who will partner Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones in the secnd-row, with Marc Thomas, Scott Baldwin and Dmitri Arhip completing the front five.

Racing Metro Paris: 15 Brice Dulin; 14 Juan Imhoff, 13 Henry Chavancy, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Teddy Thomas; 10 Johannes Goosen, 9 Maxime Machenaud; 1 Julien Brugnaut, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (capt), 3 Luc Ducalcon, 4 Juandre Kruger, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 8 Antonie Claassen
Replacements: 16 Virgile Lacombe, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Camille Gerondeau, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Yoan Audrin, 23 Benjamin Dambielle

Ospreys: 15 Daniel Evans; 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker; 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Marc Thomas, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones (capt), 6 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Tyler Ardron
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dan Suter, 19 Olly Cracknell, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Sam Davies , 23 Andrew Bishop

Watch Racing Metro Paris v Ospreys live on Sky Sports 2 Red Button from 5:15pm on Saturday