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There are to be a number of Americas players in the Champions Cup rescheduled fixtures which will be played this coming weekend. The terrorist attacks in Paris during the opening round of this season’s European Champions Cup had seen all games in France called-off.
Kicking-off action on Friday will be a substantially significant encounter in south-western France between Bordeaux and Clermont. Both Top 14 sides won their round 4 matches, downing the Ospreys and Exeter Chiefs respectively. Should Clermont win the central French side will go top of the pool. Bordeaux can climb as high as second.
Bordeaux have opted against fielding the best team possible and have a number of wider roster members named to start. Among the replacements is Argentine tighthead prop Francisco Goméz Kodela. Patricio Fernández will be given an opportunity for the visitors as he has been named as the replacement fly half. Jamie Cudmore, meanwhile, is out for a matter of months.
The undefeated Racing 92 will be looking to close in on a Quarter Finals spot when they take-on Guinness Pro 12 champions the Glasgow Warriors on Saturday. A home win is expected and Argentine flier Juan Imhoff will be looking to get on the scorers sheet as he starts on the right wing. Manuel Carizza will also start, playing in the second-row. Greg Peterson will feature from the bench for the Scottish side.
Racing 92’s neighbors, Stade Français host Munster in the other Saturday fixture. The biggest loss to Argentine rugby in the professional era, Sergio Parisse will captain the side from the back of the scrum. Uruguay’s leading tighthead prop Mario Sagario will feature for the Irish side, having been named on the bench. It is a further boost for Sagario and, indeed, Uruguay following the contract extension that took place earlier this week.
In the first of two Sunday matches Oyonnax face Ulster in an insignificant match for the home team. Sitting deep in the relegation zone of the Top 14 the European Champions Cupis a distant thought for Oyonnax thereby affording Ulster with a much easier task than normal in France. On the bench for Ulster will be the USA eligible Callum Black.
Champions Toulon will host Bath in the final match. Injuries see a much changed lineup to that from earlier rounds. Among the missing is Samu Manoa. The Americas will nonetheless be represented with Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe starting in the back-row. A win for Toulon is mandatory as the Wasps are 6 points ahead as group leaders.
