Clermont Auvergne v Bordeaux-Begles: Champions Cup preview
Last Updated: 24/01/16 2:59pm
Jonathan Davies says Clermont want to make amends for their Ospreys loss with a five-point haul against Bordeaux-Begles.
A win over Ospreys would have guaranteed Clermont a quarter-final place last week, but a second-half fightback from the Welsh region saw them claim the spoils at the Liberty Stadium.
Clermont's Wales international, Davies, says his side were disappointed with the loss, but have shifted their focus to Sunday's clash at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.
"Obviously we were gutted after the weekend's performance," said Davies. "I thought we played quite well in the first half, but in the second half Ospreys took control.
"It puts us in a position we weren't hoping to be in, but at least we know what is required of us.
"We are going to have to take Bordeaux-Begles head on. They showed against Exeter that they are capable of scoring tries, and we have to prove we are able to go one better than that."
Clermont are not out of quarter-final contention, but they have been left requiring results to go their way if they are to qualify.
Should Clermont beat Bordeaux and Ospreys lose to Exeter, Clermont will finish the group stages of the competition in top spot. However, they could still sneak into the play-offs as one of the three best second-place teams even if Ospreys top the pool.
Clermont beat Bordeaux 28-10 in their rearranged first-round Champions Cup fixture earlier in the month, but will be looking to go one better with a bonus-try victory on Sunday. A win would also preserve their impressive 25-game European winning streak at home.
Davies partners Wesley Fofana for the clash, and they will be distributing the ball to wingers Noa Nakaitaci and Hosea Gear out wide, while Scott Spedding takes up duties in the No 15 jersey.
Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez once again form the half-back pairing for the encounter.
Bordeaux-Begles don't quite offer the same threat in the backline, but their forwards have plenty of firepower, with South African second rower Berend Botha and Wallaby international Sekope Kepu leading proceedings.
Clermont Auvergne: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra, 1 Thomas Domingo, 2 John Ulugia, 3 Daniel Kotze, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 6 Damien Chouly (c), 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Fritz Lee.
Replacements: 16. Benjamin Kayser, 17. Raphael Chaume, 18. Mickael Simutoga, 19. Loic Jacquet, 20. Julien Bardy, 21. Ludovic Radosavljevic , 22. Pato Fernandez, 23. Aurélien Rougerie.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Darly Domvo, 14 Metuisela Talebulamaijaina, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Romain Lonca, 11 Sofiane Guitoune, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Baptiste Serin, 1 Sébastien Taofifenua, 2 Clement Maynadier, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Berend Botha, 5 Adam Jaulhac, 6 Luke Braid, 7 Peter Saili, 8 Matthew Clarkin (c).
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 19 Cyril Cazeaux, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Heini Adams, 22 Pierre Bernard, 23 Paulin Riva.
Watch Clermont Auvergne v Bordeaux-Begles from 3pm on Sunday on Sky Sports 3.