CLERMONT HEAD COACH Franck Azema has made two unforced changes from the side who defeated Saracens in the Champions Cup semi-final last month.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The changes for tomorrow’s final (BT/SKY kick-off 5pm) come in the potentially pivotal positions at eight and nine. Fritz Lee replaces Julien Bardy in a back row reshuffle and Morgan Parra comes in at scrum-half for Ludovic Radoslavjevic having made his return from injury in the semi.
Elsewhere the side retains a formidable feel with Brock James holding off Camille Lopez for the number 10 jersey with Wesley Fofana, Nick Abendanon and Noa Nakaitaci providing the threat outside.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Toulon will aim to keep the game tighter with limited chances for the Clermont weaponry. To that end, Bernard Laporte has reinstated Steffon Armitage after his effective role in the extra-time semi-final win over Leinster.
Armitage’s brother Delon was ruled out with a broken wrist after the same game, and Toulon have been able to replace him with Wallaby star Drew Mitchell.
Laporte’s big change comes at out-half, where he has dropped Freddy Michalak after the veteran playmaker started both quarter-final and semi. Matt Giteau takes the reins at 10, with Juan Martin Hernandez drafted in at number 12.
Clermont
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Noa Nakaitaci
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Naipolioni Nalaga
10. Brock James
9. Morgan Parra
1. Vincent Debaty
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Davit Zirakashvili
4. Jamie Cudmore
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Julien Bonnaire
7. Damien Chouly (capt.)
8. Fritz Lee
Replacements:
16. John Ulugia
17. Thomas Domingo
18. Clément Ric
19. Julien Pierre
20. Julien Bardy
21. Ludovic Radoslavjevic
22. Camille Lopez
23. Aurélien Rougerie
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Toulon drop Michalak as Clermont restore Morgan Parra for Champions Cup showdown
CLERMONT HEAD COACH Franck Azema has made two unforced changes from the side who defeated Saracens in the Champions Cup semi-final last month.
The changes for tomorrow’s final (BT/SKY kick-off 5pm) come in the potentially pivotal positions at eight and nine. Fritz Lee replaces Julien Bardy in a back row reshuffle and Morgan Parra comes in at scrum-half for Ludovic Radoslavjevic having made his return from injury in the semi.
Elsewhere the side retains a formidable feel with Brock James holding off Camille Lopez for the number 10 jersey with Wesley Fofana, Nick Abendanon and Noa Nakaitaci providing the threat outside.
Toulon will aim to keep the game tighter with limited chances for the Clermont weaponry. To that end, Bernard Laporte has reinstated Steffon Armitage after his effective role in the extra-time semi-final win over Leinster.
Armitage’s brother Delon was ruled out with a broken wrist after the same game, and Toulon have been able to replace him with Wallaby star Drew Mitchell.
Laporte’s big change comes at out-half, where he has dropped Freddy Michalak after the veteran playmaker started both quarter-final and semi. Matt Giteau takes the reins at 10, with Juan Martin Hernandez drafted in at number 12.
Clermont
15. Nick Abendanon
14. Noa Nakaitaci
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Naipolioni Nalaga
10. Brock James
9. Morgan Parra
1. Vincent Debaty
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Davit Zirakashvili
4. Jamie Cudmore
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Julien Bonnaire
7. Damien Chouly (capt.)
8. Fritz Lee
Replacements:
Toulon
Replacements:
16. Jean-Charles Orioli
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