HEINEKEN CUP POOL TWO: Racing Metro 92 v Cardiff BluesWALES CAPTAIN Sam Warburton returns for his first competitive fixture after serving a three-match ban following his sending off in the World Cup semi-final against France in New Zealand.
The Blues’ recent Pro 12 fixture against Newport Gwent Dragons was called off because Rodney Parade was flooded so this match represents a first game back for Welsh internationals Jamie Roberts, Lloyd Williams, Bradley Davies and Warburton.
The French side have left a few first-choice players on the bench, including former French captain Lionel Nallet, scrumhalf Nicholas Durand and outhalf Jonathan Wisniewski. They still boast a strong side including Argentinian playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez and Pierre Berbizier’s side will want to acquit themselves a little better than they did last season.
RACING METRO-92:G Germain; S Bobo, H Chavancy, F Estebanez, J Imhoff; J Martin Hernandez, M Loree; A Lo Cicero, B Noirot, J Pablo Orlandi; K Ghezal, J Qovu Nailiko; J Leo'o, A Batut, J Cronje. Replacements: T Bianchin, E Ben Arous, J Coetzee, L Nallet, N Durand, J Wisniewski, V Vakatawa, R Vaquiin.
CARDIFF BLUES:C Czekaj; A Cuthbert, C Laulala, J Roberts, T James; D Parks, L Williams; G Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, T Filise; B Davies, J Down; M Paterson, S Warburton, X Rush. Replacements: M Breeze, J Yapp, S Andrews, P Tito, A Pretorius, R Rees, C Sweeney, G Evans.
Referee: G Clancy(Ireland).
