RUGBY: GAVIN CUMMISKEYpreviews groups one and six
POOL ONE
Northampton Saints v Castres Olympique
Franklin’s Garden, 8pm,Tonight, Sky Sports
WITH THE lessons of last season banked, the Saints find themselves in a pool (Cardiff and Edinburgh meet tomorrow) where they can become the dominant force by reaching full potential. Beat Castres here and the French should refocus all their efforts on domestic matters.
Northampton’s Dublin-born inside centre James Downey is playing well but much depends on whether English outhalf Shane Geraghty has matured enough to add consistency to his unquestioned brilliance.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS: B Foden; C Ashton, J Clarke, J Downey, B Reihana; S Geraghty, L Dickson; S Tongauiha, D Hartley (capt), B Mujati; C Lawes, C Day; P Dowson, T Wood, R Wilson. Replacements: B Sharman, R Dreyer, E Murray, C Clark, M Easter, R Powell, S Myler, J Ansbro
CASTRES OLYMPIQUE: P Bernard; R Martial, P Garcia, R Cabannes, V Inigo; C McIntyre, S Tillous-Borde; Y Forestier, M Bonello, D Saayman; S Murray, J Tekori; I Diarra, Y Caballero, C Masoe (capt). Replacements: B Kayser, M Coetzee, A Peikrishvili, M Rolland, J Bornman, T Sanchou, S Bai, M Andreu
Referee: J Lacey (Ireland).
POOL SIX
Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons
Firhill Arena, 7.30pm, Tonight
ONLY JOHN Barclay remains of the split-up “Killer Bees” backrow that terrorised opponents last season but Glasgow should still have enough to see off the weakest Welsh franchise.
Not that it really matters as Toulouse should destroy every team in this pool. The champions entertain old friends Wasps on Sunday.
GLASGOW WARRIORS: B Stortoni; D van der Merwe, M Evans, G Morrison, F Aramburu; R Jackson, C Gregor; J Welsh, F Thomson, M Low; T Ryder, R Gray; R Harley, J Barclay (capt), R Vernon. Replacements: D Hall, R Grant, E Kalman, A Muldowney, C Forrester, H Pyrgos, D Weir, R Dewey
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS: W Harries; A Hughes, T Cheeseman, A Smith, A Brew; M Jones, W Evans (capt); P Price, S Jones, B Castle; S Morgan, R Sidoli; D Lydiate, R Sowden-Taylor, A Coombs. Replacements: L Burns, H Gustafson, N Hall, A Jones, L Evans, J Leadbeater, T Riley, M Evans
Referee: J Garces (France).
