Challenge Cup ups the ante
THE Challenge Cup is by a long distance the poor relation of the Champions Cup, but the organisers hope automatic qualification to Europe’s main event for this season’s winners will pep up the tournament. Whether it will persuade the participants to devote all their attention to the second-tier cup remains to be seen. The early signs are not promising with Gloucester changing nine of the side who beat Northampton on Saturday for tonight’s trip to Pau. With captain Willi Heinz rested and in-form centre Henry Trinder restricted to bench duty, Gloucester’s early-season priority is clearly the Premiership but they, like others, are likely to zone in if they reach the knockout stages. Champions Cup participation is a prize worth winning.
“We’re very envious we’re not taking part in the other competition. That’s a huge motivation for us this season,” said director of rugby David Humphreys.
Gloucester will give a full debut to flanker Jake Polledri, while Australian hooker James Hanson is named on the bench for the first time.
Pau, who have lost their past 10 Challenge Cup games against English opposition, will rest former England flanker Steffon Armitage and classy Kiwi centre Conrad Smith but have another All Black at stand-off in Colin Slade.
Gloucester, who reached the final last year, have another French side, Agen, in their group as well as Italian lightweights Zebre. Worcester also have two French sides for company while London Irish face holders Stade Francais as well as Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh and Russian debutants Krasny Yar.
Premiership surprise packages Newcastle have a trip to Siberia to factor in too, with a tie against Enisei to play in January that may be moved to Krasnodar.
The ‘group of death’ is undoubtedly Pool 2. Sale and Cardiff Blues have been landed with Top 14 leaders Lyon and fallen European giants Toulouse.
Sale face the three-time European Cup winners at home tomorrow night. It is Toulouse’s first experience of slumming it in the Challenge Cup and they would have preferred different opposition. “I think the French, as a rule, do not like to play the English. I do not like it,” said full-back Sofiane Guitoune.
“The English are capable of being warriors in the ruck phases while playing super rugby well. It’s going to be a tough game.”