Montpellier v Exeter: Teams
Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher insists the Chiefs are "under no illusions" as to the size of the task awaiting them in Montpellier.
Last Updated: 21/01/11 5:26pm
Exeter assistant coach Ali Hepher insists the Chiefs are "under no illusions" as to the size of the task awaiting them in Montpellier on Saturday.
A place in the quarter-finals of this season's Amlin Challenge Cup is at stake for the victors of this Pool Three match-up, and Hepher is confident the Aviva Premiership newcomers have what it takes to win on French soil for a second time this season.
Back in October, the Chiefs won 34-19 against Bourgoin at the Stade Pierre Rajon and they completed a Cup double over the Top 14 outfit a week ago when they won the return leg 17-6.
Montpellier, however, will be a much tougher nut to crack for the Devon club. Not only did they defeat the Chiefs 20-13 at Sandy Park, but they are riding high in France's top division, currently sitting third in the Top 14 standings behind Toulouse and Racing Metro.
Hepher, though, is backing the Chiefs to once again deliver the goods on the other side of the Channel.
He said: "We're confident in the guys. This group of players love a challenge and if you look at the challenges they have been set all through this season and also last season, they've met every one of them head on.
"They have been to Bourgoin and won this season, so I know these guys have it in them and that they will rise to it again. I am sure they will put in a quality performance with the big prize being the chance to get through to the quarter-finals of a big competition in Europe."
With the Chiefs making just one change to their starting XV - Neil Clark takes over at hooker from Simon Alcott - it's a settled look for the visitors as they prepare for one of the biggest games in the club's history.
"Selection is about a few things," explained Hepher. "There is a good balance to the side, but it's about performance as well. If guys play well they deserve their spots and those who played at the weekend put in big performances.
"If I'm honest, I thought we were a little bit unlucky not to score more tries because we created the opportunities. That's great, but I do believe we have to be a lot more clinical this week.
"This week we've put in a couple of training sessions which have been amongst the best of the season, so we are pushing in the right direction and if we can translate that into performances on the field at the weekend, we should be in with a good chance of getting a good result."
Montpellier: 15 Jean-Matthieu Alcalde, 14 Adrien Pratmarty, 13 Seta Tuilevuka, 12 Grant Rees, 11 Sébastien Kuzbik, 10 Raphael Lagarde, 9 Benoit Paillaugue, 8 Marc Giraud, 7 Johan Wasserman, 6 Vassili Bost, 5 Mickael Demarco, 4 Goncalo Uva, 3 Kevin Kervarec, 2 Joan Caudullo, 1 Na'ama Leleimalefaga.
Replacements: 16 Fabien Rofes, 17 Sébastien Petit, 18 Goderzi Shvelidze, 19 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 20 Adrien Tomas, 21 Florian Nicot, 22 Quentin Doumayrou, 23 Michel Macurdy.
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Chris Budgen, 2 Neil Clark, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Brett Sturgess, 18 Hoani Tui, 19 Chad Slade, 20 James Phillips, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Bryan Rennie.