Will the French Teams Turn Up? | EPCR Round 2

Our favourite game to play when the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup roll round is to ask the question “Will the French Teams Turn Up?” Of course, this is an age-old trope about both the French national side and the country’s club sides in the continental competitions. While with the national side it is more about whether they will (mis)fire on the day, with the club sides the focus is more on the team selections, given the tired cliché about French sides not bothering with the EPCR competitions because they care more about the Top 14.

Round 1 last weekend taught us two things in this respect. Firstly, it reaffirmed that it is not just the French teams that don’t pick strong sides in these competitions; teams from all constituent nations were guilty of it last week, some more egregiously than others. The second was slightly more surprising, that even if a French side does pick a strong side away from home, they can still get comfortably beaten (see Toulon, Castres and Clermont).

It is a fool who predicts anything regarding French rugby, but nevertheless, we are going to run through the suite of team selections from the Top 14 sides to highlight which ones are going for it in Round 2 - just don’t expect it to reflect the outcome of the games…

La Rochelle (vs Stormers (away))

The two-time champions were gifted a confidence-boosting win last week by Leicester Tigers and their team selection. Rather than use it as a means of kick-starting their stuttering season, they have decided to pass on such generosity to the Stormers. The La Rochelle team selection effectively hands Stormers a second consecutive victory over a French side; this is as much of a waving of the white flag from a French team selection as we can remember seeing. It is a great shame, not least because since their entry into these competitions, the South African sides have struggled to create any sort of rivalry narrative. La Rochelle-Stormers is about as close as we have got so far after their fixtures in 2023-24 both went to a last minute kick at goal in Cape Town; Stormers got the win in the Pool Stage, La Rochelle got revenge in the Round of 16.

In defence of La Rochelle, they are tackling a horror injury list, with 14 first team members unavailable. Given the calibre and experience of those unavailable, it is unsurprising that Ronan O’Gara has chosen to rest prized assets such as Grégory Alldritt, Oscar Jégou and Davit Niniashvili. What remains is an incredibly callow side. In the back row, there is a first professional start at no.8 for Lucas Andjisseramatchi (who captains the side), a first professional appearance in the back row for promising lock Charles Kanté Samba, and 19 year old Russian lock Kirill Fraindt makes his first ever start (in any position) for La Rochelle. Two 19 year old half backs are picked to lead a backline that has only two players over the age of 21. The bench is 6-2, but includes tighthead prop Aleksandre Kuntelia in the no. 20 jersey typically reserved for a dynamic back row. They love a heavy bench over in South Africa, but even they would raise an eyebrow at a 135kg flanker…

That said, La Rochelle’s academy is very promising. Diego Jurd is a genuinely outstanding goal kicker - he hasn’t missed a goal kick for France U20s in 2025 from 22 challenging attempts - and is a real threat attacking the line. He even secured a jackal penalty on his own 5m line against Leicester last weekend. Alongside him, fellow U20s 6 Nations winner Simeli Daunivucu has all of the raw ingredients to be a world class player in the future - just that some of them remain incredibly raw.

ASM Clermont Auvergne (vs Sale (Home))

After a strange game at Saracens in which a strong-looking side were comfortably beaten, Clermont return home with another strange selection. They pick their strongest available pack, with the return of key cogs Thomas Ceyte and Kylian Tixeront, but have rotated their first choice half backs. Baptiste Jauneau is rested altogether, while Harry Plummer is dropped to the bench. His replacement, 30 year old Irai Simone, makes only his second ever senior start at fly-half.

There is a first-start of the season for George Moala who, on the rare occasion he manages to keep himself fit for a full 80 minutes, is still Clermont’s biggest game-changer. His centre partner, 18 year old Timéo Frier, makes his first professional start.

Union Bordeaux Bègles (vs Scarlets (Home))

After their successful trip to South African altitude last week, some rotation from UBB could have been expected, but by no means do they look weak. Mathieu Jalibert was truly electrifying last week and he starts again alongside Yoram Moefana and UBB’s international wingers, but he gets a new half-back partner. Nicolas Depoortère gets a well-earned rest. Including gametime for France in November, he has played the joint-highest minutes of anyone within the UBB squad this season.

The man level with him on 860 minutes played, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, is not a name Scarlets would have wanted to see on the team sheet. The last time these two sides met was in January 2022 in front of a Covid-restricted crowd at Stade Chaban Delmas. That day, UBB’s 18 year-old full back was making his first professional start and scored a hat trick in a 45-10 victory. Since then, that 18 year-old has gone on to score 72 tries in 108 games for club and country…

Toulouse (vs Glasgow (Away))

Wow. Just wow. It is obviously rare that Toulouse put out a side that doesn’t look strong, but the starting XV for their trip to Scotland looks particularly tasty. The first start since his return from knee injury for Antoine Dupont is the icing on a mighty multi-layered cake.

One area of intrigue is in the centres, where Kalvin Gourgues partners Paul Costes. Gourgues has burst on the scene spectacularly this season, even more impressively than Costes himself did a couple of seasons ago. Costes hasn’t quite kicked on since Toulouse’s double-winning season. Can the arrival of a young, exciting partner fire the 22 year old to hit those heights again?

Bayonne (vs Harlequins)

The award for the side least bothered by the Investec Champions Cup last week (if such a thing existed) would have gone to Bayonne. In fielding an inexperienced side with people playing out of position, the Basque men suffered their first home defeat of the season. Despite eight changes to the starting line up, it is a similar story this week. Jonah Thompson is making his professional debut and Tom Spring starts at fly half, a position he has only ever played in the Challenge Cup.

Spring is a very talented all-round player and it will be interesting to see how he goes at fly-half. He has an inexperienced half-back partner in France U20s starter Baptiste Tilloles, but he’s got plenty of heft in the centres outside him; Sireli Maqala is one of the best players in the Top 14.

Bayonne do look fractionally stronger than last week and there is something immensely exciting about this Bayonne side in the presence of Esteban Capilla. The 22 year-old makes his Champions Cup debut and it would be underselling him to describe him as ‘One to Watch’. 6ft 6in with a background in Sevens, Capilla has ripped up the Top 14 this season with his pace, athleticism and dazzling skill set. Don’t be surprised to see him make a debut of another kind in the 2026 6 Nations.

Castres (vs Edinburgh (Home))

The strength of the side Castres sent to Kingsholm last week was pleasantly surprising, even if the result was not a happy one. Many of the names from last week reappear this week, but this does look a stronger side thanks primarily to the return of workrate machines Tom Staniforth and Tyler Ardron, and returns to the starting lineup for Jack Goodhue and Abraham Papali’i, their most powerful ball carrier.

There is plenty of scrummaging prowess on the bench: Teddy Durand is their first choice hooker, Nicolas Corato is an excellent scrummager and Lois Guérois-Galisson is developing into a top quality understudy for the excellent Quentin Walcker. There is more than a touch of Fijian flair with Vuate Karawalevu and one of the kings of Fijian flair, Leone Nakarawa, appearing on a teamsheet for only the third time this season.

Toulon (vs Bath (Home))

Toulon picked nearly all of their absolute first choice players last week. The only two that didn't feature in the starting XV return to the starting line up this week, with Charles Ollivon returning from concussion and Baptiste Serin switching with Ben White. They are without talismanic captain David Ribbans, but it is another formidable looking outfit, and they will not be wanting a similar result this week in front of an expectant crowd at the Stade Mayol. This is arguably the game of the round, and will be instructive as to whether either of these teams will be genuine challengers for the title.

One area of possible concern for Toulon is in their playmakers. Baptiste Serin can, and often does, do all of the playmaking single-handedly for Toulon, but there is concern outside of him. Matteo Garcia is a very capable fly half - Saracens fans won’t need too much reminding of the way he orchestrated UBB’s thumping victory over them a couple of seasons ago - and Mathis Ferté, one of the brightest stars in France’s galaxy of promising youngsters, will be playing in his preferred position at full back. However, with Paolo Garbisi, Melvyn Jaminet and Marius Domon all unavailable, should Garcia pick up a knock, they would not have an out-and-out fly half or goal kicker. Serin is more than capable in both departments, but it’s sub-ideal in a game that will make or break their campaign.

The paucity of backline options is reflected with their 6-2 bench, where the back rower Joé Queré Karaba will provide cover for the outside backs. Like Capilla at Bayonne, he has been involved regularly with France’s 7s programme and has the sort of explosive pace that make him an excellent hybrid option.

Pau (vs Bristol (away))

Injuries on the day of the game to Julian Montoya and Jack Maddocks weakened an already under-powered Pau side on their return to top flight EPCR competition after 25 years away. Defeat against Northampton at home only increases Pau’s incentive to prioritise the Top 14. The return of Daniel Bibi-Biziwu and Siate Tokalahi should improve the Pau scrum - it would be hard for it to get any worse than last week - but there is unsurprisingly rest and rotation elsewhere, including their back up to Joe Simmonds at fly half, Axel Desperes. He may be a couple of months older, but Clément Mondinat is a comfortable third choice behind Desperes and has nearly 50 fewer appearances for Pau. With no recognised fly half in the 23, we may see Dan Robson fill a role he briefly played for England under Eddie Jones.

There is, however, plenty of interest for those that don’t see much of Pau, particularly British fans. A host of expats feature, with Robson the only regular starter amongst a British trio that includes former Saracen Joel Kpoku and ex-Scarlet Carwyn Tuipolotu. Another ex-pat of sorts returns to the wing in the form of Bromley born-and-raised Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, although with an Olympic gold medal and a call up to Les Bleus training squad in the autumn, his days as a Brit are long-behind him for now.

The other returning superstar in the backline is 19 year-old Fabian Brau-Boirie. As the senior man in the centres, he has to concede his preferred position at no.12. He will be hoping to show his versatility, with Kalvin Gourgues having stolen a march on him in the autumn because of his ability to play multiple positions. As an out-and-out centre though, Brau-Boirie is the superior player (certainly as an inside centre) and he will be a France international for many years to come. If you take one thing away from this article, be it that you could round out your weekend by watching a future giant of French rugby.

Challenge Cup

By the time you read this article, a Montpellier side that looked to be one of the strongest fielded in the Challenge Cup this season will have already played Zebre. On Saturday, a combination of youth, Fijians and Georgians will travel to Benetton for Perpignan. Former France U20s superstar Hugo Reus makes his first start since joining as injury cover from Montpellier. Stade Francais travel to the Dutch capital to take on the Cheetahs with a heavily rotated forward pack, but a high quality centre pairing in Jeremy Ward and Joe Marchant, with the emerging Noah Néné in reserve. Back rower Andy Timo, an Olympic gold medalist, starts on the wing for the first time. Montauban have put out another mix and match side, albeit one with a powerful back row; in the opposition back row is Ross Moriarty, whose last game in France was in Brive’s humbling Pro D2 semi final defeat at home to Montauban…

On Sunday, Racing 92 select a stronger side than the one that were embarrassed in Belfast last week. It is not full strength, particularly in the half backs. British eyes will be drawn to the second row, where now-retired Wales international Will Rowlands partners Exeter Chiefs academy graduate Junior Kpoku. These two sides are unrecognisable from those that faced up in their previous meeting back in 2020’s Champions Cup final. That game was played in an empty football stadium, as this one is likely to be, with Racing 92 hosting it in Créteil, normally a football ground in France’s 4th tier.

Another side embarrassed last weekend, Lyon, will be looking to avoid a repeat of last week’s upset at home to Newcastle in their game against the Dragons. As seems to be a common theme this week, it is another first outing at fly half, this time for the rapid Alexandre Tchaptchet. Once again there are plenty of younger faces for Lyon, notably last week’s debutant Lilian Baret; the 17-year old back row drops to the bench. There is, however, still plenty of proper Top 14 quality in that Lyon line up. Whether they show that quality or not, well, that depends on whether they turn up…