Clermont Auvergne v Exeter Chiefs: Champions Cup preview
By Keith Moore
Last Updated: 20/12/15 5:09pm
Jonathan Davies makes his Clermont return when his side hosts Exeter in the Champions Cup on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Davies was ruled out of the World Cup through a ruptured cruciate ligament, but six months after undergoing surgery is ready to take to the field.
"There's no better way to test the knee out," Davies told Sky Sports. "It's going to be a tough game. Exeter are playing some really good rugby.
"It's going to be very testing - a real lung-burner I think!
"I've done a lot of running but there's no real replacement for match fitness so I am looking forward to getting back out there and getting into the swing of things.
"I'm sure there will be a little bit of rustiness but I feel like I've ticked all the boxes to get back onto the field."
The 51-Test international says his desire to get back on the pitch meant this day couldn't come soon enough.
"If anything, the last few weeks have gone a bit slower than the rest of them because it has felt so close, so my anticipation has been that much keener," said Davies.
"Thankfully it's all gone very smoothly though.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in this whole process, from my surgeon to the medical teams at both Clermont and the Welsh Rugby Union.
"Their support has made the time away from the game and the recovery process more bearable."
Davies partners Hosea Gear in the Clermont midfield while skipper Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez form the half-back pairing.
Exeter recorded a stunning 31-14 victory over Davies's side at Sandy Park last week, seeing off Clermont with a bonus-point win.
A home win for the Chiefs was not very fancied, but an away victory over Clermont would announce Baxter's side as Champions Cup contenders, with Clermont in possession of one of Europe's most formidable home records - no losses at home in European competition since October 2008.
"It's very easy to talk about a lot of positives, especially from last weekend, but the truth is we have to go to Clermont and do it all again," said Exeter coach Rob Baxter.
"Reputations can get dented over there as quickly as they can be built up over here, so that's the battle for us.
"As most people are aware, they've not lost a European top flight game there for something like seven years, so history says the challenge of going there and winning is very tough."
Baxter has made four changes to Sunday's winning side. Up front, Ben Moon makes way for Carl Rimmer while Geoff Parling starts ahead of Mitch Lees in the second row.
Scrum-half Dave Lewis makes his first start of the campaign in place of Will Chudley, while Matt Jess takes over on the right wing from Olly Woodburn.
Lewis partners Gareth Steenson in the half-backs while hooker Jack Yeandle captains the side.
Clermont Auvergne: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 David Strettle, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hosea Gear, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra (c), 1 Vincent Debaty, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Daniel Kotze, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 6 Vito Kolelishvili, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 8 Fritz Lee.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Clément Ric, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Damien Chouly, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic, 22 Pato Fernandez, 23 Albert Vulivuli
Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Jack Nowell, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Dave Lewis, 1 Carl Rimmer, 2 Jack Yeandle, (c) 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Geoff Parling, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Don Armand, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Thomas Waldrom.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Moray Low, 19 Mitch Lees, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Michele Campanaro.
Watch Clermont v Exeter live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Sunday from 3pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.