Damian Penaud switches position for UBB, Toulouse make one change

Damian Penaud will line up in the centre for Union Bordeaux Bègles after switching position for the visit of Stade Toulousain in their mouthwatering, all-French Investec Champions Cup quarter-final encounter at Stade Chaban-Delmas on Sunday.

The currently snubbed France international is named at outside centre alongside Yoram Moefana. Penaud has played 24 per cent of his career in the midfield, so it’s no stranger to the position.

Penaud’s redeployment is the headline call from UBB, who have also opted for a 6–2 split on the bench.

Back-row Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer drops to the pine and is replaced by Pierre Bochaton. He is joined there by Temo Matiu, Arthur Retière and Hugo Reus.

Hat-trick hero Salesi Rayasi starts at fullback once again, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Pablo Uberti are selected on the wings.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Bordeaux

07:00

12 Apr 26

Toulouse

All Stats and Data

Matthieu Jalibert and captain Maxime Lucu continue as the half-back pairing, behind a pack led by Jefferson Poirot, evergreen former Wallaby turned Tonga international Adam Coleman, and Maxime Lamothe.

Toulouse have also gone with a 6–2 bench as they welcome back several frontline figures.

Antoine Dupont captains the side from scrum-half, with Romain Ntamack at 10 and Thomas Ramos at fullback. In midfield, Santiago Chocobares comes in after Pierre-Louis Barassi was ruled out, partnering Kalvin Gourgues.

On the bench, Julien Marchand replaces Thomas Lacombre at hooker, Cyril Baille comes in for Paul Mallez at loosehead, while Paul Graou joins moves up as Chocobares moves into the starting line-up.

Union Bordeaux Bègles: 15. Salesi Rayasi, 14. Pablo Uberti, 13. Damian Penaud, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10. Matthieu Jalibert, 9. Maxime Lucu (c), 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Maxime Lamothe, 3. Carlü Sadie, 4. Boris Palu, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Pierre Bochaton, 7. Cameron Woki, 8. Marko Gazzotti

Replacements: 16. Gaetan Barlot, 17. Matis Perchaud, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Tiaan Jacobs, 20. Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21. Temo Matiu, 22. Arthur Retiere, 23. Hugo Reus

Stade Toulousain: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Teddy Thomas, 13. Kalvin Gourgues, 12. Santiago Chocobares, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. David Ainu’u, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Emmanuel Meafou, 6. François Cros, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Anthony Jelonch

Replacements: 16. Julien Marchand, 17. Cyril Baille, 18. Joel Merkler, 19. Joshua Brennan, 20. Leo Banos, 21. Théo Ntamack, 22. Paul Graou, 23. Blair Kinghorn