RUGBY HEINEKEN EUROPEAN CUP: Pool One Clermont v MontaubanMATHEMATICALLY, CLERMONT can still make the play-offs and the first requirement to fulfil that remit would be a bonus-point victory over their visitors tonight. Coach Vern Cotter has fielded a strong side even in the absence of giant try-scoring wing Napolioni Nalaga and Anthony Floch.
Marius Joubert is injured so the midfield partnership sees Italian Gonzalo Canale and Fijian Seremaia Bai paired.
Benoit Baby is at fullback, forming an all-French international back three that includes team captain Aurelien Rougerie. Up front, Argentine prop Martin Scelzo returns having been sidelined for seven months following shoulder surgery and will be joined in the front row by fellow Puma Mario Ledesma.
A powerful pack includes Julien Bonnaire and Elvis Vermeulen but there is no place for Canadian international Jamie Cudmore, sent off the last day against Munster at Thomond Park.
Montauban lost narrowly 24-19 in the reverse European fixture between these sides but will be very much second favourites tonight.
Julien Laharrague is named at fullback in a back line that contains former Hurricanes fullback Shannon Paku. Veteran Romanian international Petre Mitu starts at scrumhalf.
One time Ulster secondrow Rowan Frost is an integral member of a strong forward unit.
Clermont’s performance at Thomond Park confirmed they are one of the best teams in Europe irrespective of whether they make the play-offs tonight. A bonus-point win, coupled with a Sale victory in Limerick, would throw the pool wide open again as the French side have to travel to Manchester in the final game.
Montauban beat Sale at home in the last round of matches before Christmas and are coming off a win in the French Championship against Bayonne. Clermont thrashed Montpellier last weekend and while they’ll find tonight’s visitors more obdurate they should be able to manage a five-point haul.
ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE:B Baby; A Rougerie (capt), G Canale, S Bai, J Malzieu; B James, P Mignoni; L Emmanuelli, M Ledesma, M Scelzo; J Pierre, L Jacquet; J Bonnaire, A Audebert, E Vermeulen. Replacements: M Lozupone, T Domingo, T Privat, E Etien, J Senio, P Garcia, W Fofana.
MONTAUBAN:J Laharrague; A Figueiredo, S Paku, R Jahouer, J Cassin; R Lespinas, P Mitu; L DelBoulbes, G Shvelidze B Sa; M Rolland (capt), R Frost; M Clarkin, A Boutaty, F Soldan. Replacements:G Parriel, N Adams, S Murray, K Ghezal, J Dalla Riva, F Fortassin, F Culinat.
Referee:Carlo Damasco (Italy)
