Two-times former winners Leicester Tigers will be
looking for revenge against Ulster in a key European Cup Pool 1 game on Saturday
Two-times former winners Leicester Tigers will be
looking for revenge against Ulster in a key European Cup Pool 1 game on Saturday.
The Tigers were stunned by a 33-0 loss in Belfast last weekend, a
defeat
which saw them slump to last place in the group and facing an uphill
battle to
reach the quarter-finals.
Leicester boss Dean Richards however insists that his side can put
things
right starting with a win on Saturday before a 16,800 sell-out crowd
at their
Welford Road stadium.
“It’s still open,” said a defiant Richards. “We’re
in one of those pools
where it’s difficult to predict the outcome. We’re going through a bit of a hiccup at the moment, but it
can be put
right.”
England skipper Johnson, struggling with a back injury, came off
the bench
against Ulster last weekend and reports have said that he has delayed
his
retirement announcement until after Saturday’s game to avoid any
disruption in
training.
Ulster have named an unchanged side with coach Alan Solomons
saying: “This
weekend is a massive challenge for us, but this is why we’re involved
in
professional rugby. We live for matches like these.”
In the other Pool 1 game on Sunday, struggling Stade Francais have
brought
in 22-year-old Gregory Mahe at scrum-half replacing the injured
Agustin Pichot
at home to Gwent Dragons.
The Welsh side won 20-12 at home when the sides met last weekend.
Reigning champions Toulouse travel to Wales in Friday’s opener
looking for
back-to-back wins over Neath-Swansea Ospreys as they continue to
track Pool 2
leaders Edinburgh.
French international centre Yannick Jauzion said last weekend’s
win in a
mud-bath of a match at Toulouse had sent confidence soaring following
the
shock of their defeat away to Edinburgh in December.
“We’re still chasing Edinburgh because they are dominating
the Pool at the
moment,” said Jauzion.
“It was important to do what we did on Saturday, but we have
to climb the
table even further next week.”
Edinburgh travel to Leeds looking to maintain their 100 %
record and
the Yorkshire side know that they cannot afford another slip-up.
“It is still mathematically possible for us to qualify for
the
quarter-finals and, as long as that chance exists – however slim it
may be –
then we will keep going,” said Leeds coach Phil Davies.
In Pool 4, unbeaten leaders Llanelli Scarlets will be hard-pushed at Agen a
side
they beat by just 19-15 at home last weekend, while Northampton could
go top
if the Welsh side lose and they garner the maximum five points away
to Borders.
“There will be a reversal of roles this weekend,” said
Llanelli boss Gareth
Jenkins of the trip to southwest France.
“The expectation and the pressure is on them – the whole of
Agen will be
expecting a home result.”
It’s nip-and-tuck in Pool 6 with Wasps, Perpignan and Celtic
Warriors level
on 10 points.
The Warriors battle it out with Wasps in Wales, and Perpignan will
be
looking to take advantage when they travel to Italy to play a
Calvisano side
they defeated 48-7 last weekend.
Pool 5 leaders Gloucester facea tough visit to second-placed
Munster,
while Italian side Treviso will be hard-pushed to repeat their 42-33
win over
Bourgoin away from home.
Both Leinster and Biarritz, joint leaders of Pool 3 on 10 points
are away,
the Irish having the harder assignment at Sale with the French
travelling to
struggling Cardiff who have lost their last 10 European Cup games.
AFP
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