Leicester Tigers v Stade Francais: Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 14/11/15 9:22am
New Zealander Brendon O'Connor makes his Tigers debut as Leicester host Stade Francais in the opening game of the European Rugby Champions Cup on Friday night.
The former New Zealand Under-20 forward arrived in Leicester after helping Hawke's Bay to ITM Cup glory, and will be tested immediately in the northern hemisphere as he joins Tom Croft and No 8 Lachlan McCaffrey in the back row for the clash with the current French champions.
The trio will pack down behind locks Mike Williams and Mike Fitzgerald, while England front rowers Dan Cole and Tom Youngs welcome Marcos Ayerza into the fold. The Argentine loosehead prop makes his first appearance of the season following an injury he suffered on the eve of the Bronze Medal Final at the Rugby World Cup last month.
Captain Mathew Tait and Peter Betham return to the starting team while Ben Youngs starts a game at Welford Road for the first time since the World Cup.
Italy's Leonardo Ghiraldini returns from injury and is included among the replacements, alongside international team-mate Matias Aguero who comes in as cover in the absence of Michele Rizzo and Logovi'i Mulipola.
Head coach Richard Cockerill says his side is aware that their opponents are building momentum in their domestic season.
"This is big night, at home in the opening game of the tournament against a very good away side, with a string of tough games to come too, so we have to get it right," said Cockerill.
"Stade are a quality side and clearly they have big-game players - we saw that last year when they came through the play-off strongly to win the French Top 14 title.
"They had a very good win against Clermont last week and with getting players back in from the World Cup they'll be building confidence.
"We have to make sure we're in the battle, physically and emotionally. We've got some bodies back, we've got some strength in depth and good competition for places.
"There's a good vibe in the squad despite ending our winning run last week. We know where we have to improve."
Stade Francais are captained by Italy's veteran No 8 Sergio Parisse, while Springbok Morne Steyn partners Julien Dupuy in the half-backs, with scrum-half Dupuy retaining his place in the side following Stade's 14-9 win over Clermont in the Top 14.
Jonathan Ross, who scored a try in Saturday's win, drops to the bench this weekend, with Patrick Sio starting in the No 6 jersey and Sylvain Nicolas completing the back row.
Leicester: 15 Mathew Tait (c), 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Peter Betham, 12 Matt Smith, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Mike Williams, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Dom Barrow, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Seremaia Bai, 23 Telusa Veainu.
Stade Francais: 15 Hugo Bonneval; 14 Julien Arias, 13 Paul Williams, 12 Herman Meyer Bosman, 11 Jérémy Sinzelle, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Julien Dupuy; 1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Laurent Panis, 3 Adrien Oleon, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 5 Pascal Papé, 6 Patrick Sio, 7 Sylvain Nicolas, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Dany Priso, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Jonathan Ross, 21 Julien Tomas, 22 Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, 23 Josaia Raisuqe.
