Round 3 of the Challenge Cup promises an array of exciting fixtures, featuring eight matches unfolding across Friday and Saturday with teams vying for a coveted spot in the knockout stage.
Gloucester produced a stirring performance in the last round to topple Clermont, while Georgian newcomers Black Lion secured their inaugural Challenge Cup victory with a sensational 23-7 victory against Scarlets in Llanelli.
Cheetahs delivered a thrilling performance, defeating rivals Sharks, Montpellier overpowered Ospreys, and Lions comfortably beat Newcastle, to also maintain their perfect records.
The competition is intensifying, and the race for the knockout stage is heating up, Matthew Luddington offers insights to Friday and Saturday’s games.
Friday
Newcastle Falcons face Benetton at Kingston Park (8pm) for the first time in 22 years, welcoming back key players such as Elliott Obatoyinbo, Josh Barton, Adam Brocklebank, Josh Hawkins, and England hooker Jamie Blamire looking to reverse a dismal run of form, enhance their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage and ignite their season.
Benetton however sit second in the URC and dominated Perpignan in their last encounter, so the Italians arrive full of confidence.
Ospreys host Perpignan at 8pm and name a strong line-up, with Adam Beard captaining the side, and Wales International centres Owen Watkin and George North given the nod. Perpignan, having lost both of their opening games, desperately need a win to keep their knockout stage qualification hopes alive.
Saturday
The Sharks, field a host of Springbok stars including Ox Nche, Curwin Bosch, Makazole Mpimpi, and captain Lukhanyo Am, and welcome Oyonnax to Kings Park at 1pm. Oyonnax have lost both opening games and will need a surprise victory in Durban to revive their tournament hopes.
Clermont, stunned by Gloucester in the last round, name a strong side for their clash against Scarlets (also 1pm) with Rabah Slimani, Rob Simmons, Tomas Lavinini, skipper Fritz Lee, Anthony Belleau and Alivereti Raka all starting. Scarlets suffered a shock defeat to Georgian newcomers Black Lion in the last round, and could face a difficult afternoon at Stade Marcel Michelin.
Zebre, coming off a magnificent performance and victory in Oyonnax, host Dragons in a crucial fixture at 3:15pm. Both teams have one win each and understand the significance of a victory here for qualification to the knockout stage. Castres, struggling for form, host Black Lion at the same time, in what is set to be a highly physical encounter.
Edinburgh, buoyed by a last round win over Castres, face Gloucester at 5:30pm in a sold-out clash at Hive Stadium. Mike Blair makes four changes to his side that beat rivals Glasgow last week, with Sam Skinner, Hamish Watson, Emiliano Boffelli and Dave Cherry all set to start.
Gloucester have had a difficult Premiership season, but produced a stirring display to beat Clermont in their last Challenge Cup fixture, and name a strong side including Lewis Ludlow, Zach Mercer, Jonny May, Ollie Thorley and Louis Rees-Zammit for that important tussle.
First faces second in Pool 2 as Montpellier host Lions at 8pm; the two sides have 100% records so far and come into the match full of confidence.
Montpellier, have a strong South African presence in their side, with Springboks Cobus Reinach, Nicolaas Janse Van Rensburg and captain Jan Serfontein all named to start for a side who have been strong at home, but will be wary of an in-form Lions side who have won their last five games in all competitions.
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