Champions Cup – The probable line-ups for the quarter-finals

The Champions Cup quarter-finals will begin this Saturday. Discover the probable line-ups of the three qualified French clubs!

  • Bordeaux-Bègles – Harlequins

The Bordeaux-Bègles Union

The probable starting XV of the UBB : 15. Buros; 14. Penaud or Uberti, 13. Depoortere, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey; 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu (cap.); 7. Samu, 8. Tatafu, 6. Miquel; 5. Coleman, 4. Cazeaux; 3.Tameifuna, 2.Lamothe, 1.Kaulashvili.

The replacements : 16. Latterrade or Maynadier, 17. Boniface, 18. Sadie, 19. Petti, 20. Douglas or Vergnes-Taillefer, 21. Vergnes-Taillefer or Tapuai, 22. Lesgourgues or Abadie, 23. Garcia or Uberti.

Harlequins: Care and Marler in the infirmary

Harlequins will have to do without two executives from their team. Indeed, international scrum-half Danny Care, starter in the round of 16 against Glasgow, was spared at the start of the week and the club does not wish to take any risks. This is also the case for international pillar, Joe Marler, replacing last weekend. Both affected against Glasgow, Harlequins do not want to force fate with two players who were unable to make the cut after the 6 Nations Tournament. Billy Millard, the English club’s director of rugby, said that sometimes you have to hope for a long-term gain. On the other hand, scrum half Will Porter has come out of the infirmary and can apply. This is also the case of young international third row Chandler Cunningham-South (21) who was injured in a calf during England’s victory against Ireland on the fourth day of the 6 Nations Tournament. He is fit to return to competition.

  • Leinster – La Rochelle

La Rochelle stadium

The probable starting XV of La Rochelle: 15. Dulin ; 14. Nowell orThomas, 13. Seuteni, 12. Danty, 11. Leyds ; 10.Hastoy, 9.Kerr-Barlow ; 7.Botia, 8.Alldritt (cap.), 6.Cancoriet or Boudehent ; 5. Skelton, 4. Dillane; 3.Athonius, 2.Latu orLespiaucq, 1.Penverne.

The replacements : 16. Lespiaucq or Latu, 17. Kaddouri, 18. Lavault, 19. Boudehent or Cancoriet, 20. Tanga, 21. Iribaren, 22. West or Thomas, 23. Slaves.

Leinster: James Ryan “out”, Gary Ringrose hoped

James Ryan (arm), Tommy O’Brien (hamstring) and Alex Soroka (foot) who will not be part of the quarter-final. Two key Leinster players were still doubtful in midweek. Irish international Garry Ringrose (56 caps) suffered a shoulder injury during the 6 Nations on March 16 and has still not returned to competition. Same uncertainty for another monument of the Irish province, Cian Healy (36 years old). The pillar with 129 caps with the XV of Clover was injured in his leg against Leicester and could be absent from this remake of the last two finals. The presences of former Lyonnais Charlie Ngatai, who is returning from a calf injury, and wing-back Jimmy O’Brien, victim of a neck injury and who has still not played in 2024, are in ballot. The presences of Robbie Henshaw and that of Hugo Keenan are on track.

The probable starting XV for Stade Toulouse : 15. Kinghorn or Ramos; 14.Mallia, 13.Costes, 12.Ahki, 11.Lebel; 10.Ntamack or Ramos, 9.Dupont (cap.); 7.Willis, 8.Rumat, 6.Cros; 5.Meafou, 4.Arnold; 3.Aldegheri, 2.Mauvaka or Marchand, 1.Baille.

The replacements : 16. Marchand, 17.Neti, 18.Merkler, 19.Brennan, 20.Flament, 21.Castro-Ferreira or Chocobares, 22. Graou, 23.Ramos or Delibes.

Exeter: a week full of serenity

The Chiefs felt proud of their victory against Bath, even if it was difficult to pull off. Rob Baxter did not mention any injuries after this 21-15 success. He welcomed the huge match of his winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, now presented as the direct successor to Jack Nowell, local idol, who left for La Rochelle. The manager also spoke about his pack and the Welshman Christ Tshiunza, very strong on the opposing sidelines. The performance of number 8 Ross Vintcent, Italian neo-international, was highlighted by all observers. As this choice in Toulouse approaches, Rob Baxter played the relaxed card: “Exeter has nothing to lose. In any case, Toulouse or Racing would have had a day less than us to prepare.”

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