European Champions Cup: Toulouse v Montpellier preview
Last Updated: 19/10/14 11:07am
Toulouse host Top 14 rivals Montpellier in their opening European Champions Cup game on Sunday afternoon looking to continue their recent good form.
Toulouse were the most successful team in the history of the Heineken Cup, winning the title four times, but after a run of five straight defeats earlier in the season very few would have been backing them to add to a fifth European trophy to their haul this time around.
However, back-to-back wins over Stade Français and Toulon have lifted the mood at the Stade Ernest-Wallon just in time for the return of European rugby to the south west of France this weekend.
The victory over Toulon was particularly impressive, with the defending French and European champions never really getting a sniff in a 21-10 defeat.
The upturn in form has coincided with the return of a few key players, particularly up front, and it gets better for Guy Novès this week with Census Johnston finally fit again.
For Montpellier, the injuries have hit at just the wrong moment, and more importantly on the most fragile part of their squad.
Big loss
The in-form François Trinh-Duc broke his leg against Oyonnax last weekend his absence leaves a huge hole in the Montpellier squad. Enzo Selponi will fill it for now, and the youngster certainly has a lot of potential.
One new face who should feature on Sunday is Samisoni Viriviri with the Fijian sevens star due to make his long-awaited debut.
The Pool 4 clash will be the pair’s first meeting in European competition but Fabien Galthié's men have had the edge in recent domestic fixtures.
Montpellier won home and away in the Top 14 against Toulouse last season, including a crushing 25-0 win at home. The return fixture came during the Six Nations and saw Montpellier claim a 15-12 success with both teams understrength.
Toulouse: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Timoci Matanavou, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain; 1 Gürthro Steenkamp, 2 Corey Flynn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 4 Joe Tekori, 5 Yoann Maestri, 6 Yacouba Camara, 7 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 8 Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Kisi Pulu, 18 Census Johnston, 19 Patricio Albacete, 20 Edwin Maka, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Vincent Clerc.
Montpellier: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Samisoni Viriviri, 10 Enzo Selponi, 9 Teddy Iribaren; 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Mickaël Ivaldi, 3 Nicolas Mas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 5 Thibaut Privat, 6 Alexandre Bias, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Ben Mowen.
Replacements: 16 Charles Géli, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Chris King, 19 Robins Tchale-Watchou, 20 Kélian Galletier, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Anthony Tuitavake, 23 Benoit Sicart.
Watch Toulouse v Montpellier live on Sky Sports 2HD via the red button from 1pm on Sunday 19 October.
