LOUIS MUST BE KING FOR A DAY
Gloucester teen facing Bok Kolbe
WALES starlet Louis Rees-Zammit will face a testing examination of whether he is ready for international rugby when he goes head to head with Springbok World Cup wonder Cheslin Kolbe tomorrow.
Rees-Zammit, 18, will be marking the hot-stepping wing, below, who finished off England in the final in Japan in a high-stakes Champions Cup clash in Toulouse that will decide whether Gloucester make the quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years.
Toulouse are one of five sides already through, along with Leinster, Racing, Clermont and Exeter, and Gloucester could join them if they prevail in an eight-way scrap for the three remaining places.
“Hopefully all the guys that got call-ups, plus the rest of the squad, their focus will be solely on Toulouse,” said coach Johan Ackermann, who will be without injured fly-half Danny Cipriani.
“They were one of the favourites before the tournament started and haven’t disappointed. They’ve played well, they’re unbeaten, they’re a quality side. If you ever as a
POOL 1
Leinster have the group sewn up but Northampton can join them in the quarter-finals if they secure one of the three spots reserved for the best runners-up. That ranking is decided on points won and then, if equal, on points difference.
POOL 2
Exeter are in the knockout stages and can make certain of a home quarter-final – handed out to the top four group winners – if they beat La Rochelle at Sandy Park. Glasgow can progress in second but need a favour from elsewhere.
POOL 3
Clermont are already through to the last eight and are likely to be joined by Ulster. Victory over Bath in Belfast will confirm it and could even earn the Ulstermen top spot if Clermont slip up against Harlequins.
POOL 4
Saracens, the European champions, are well placed to make the knockout stages for the ninth successive season, boasting the best points difference of the clubs locked on 14 points as they face group winners Racing at Allianz Park. But Munster are still not out of it if Sarries fall.
POOL 5
Gloucester have a chance of earning a runners-up spot but have the toughest assignment of all the contenders with a trip to pool winners Toulouse. player want a massive challenge that is going to test you physically, mentally, emotionally – everything – it is to play Toulouse. But we’re not just going there to make the numbers up – we’re going there to see if we can get the win.”
Northampton can take a big step towards the knockout stages today if they win at Lyon but will have to do so without wing Taqele Naiyaravoro, who has stayed at home to be with his wife ahead of the birth of their third child. Ahsee Tuala and Ollie Sleightholme fill the wing slots as Saints look to complete the double over the French side.
Assistant coach Phil Dowson said: “It’s the equivalent of the Champions League round of 16. Win or go home. You’ll never play in enough European knockout games, it’s a great opportunity for our group.”
The qualification scenario in the last round of group games is, as ever, a moveable feast. But should Ulster beat Bath at the Kingspan Stadium they will definitely qualify and could also top Pool 3 if Clermont slip up at Harlequins.