Team news for Heineken clash with Montferrand

Returns to the squad
By Duncan Wood
January 10 2003

Bristol keep the same team that started against Quins at the Stoop last weekend. Phil Christophers is still out with a rib injury. However, Mike Lipman returns to the bench after a lengthy absence.

Here are the two teams ahead of Sunday's Heineken Cup clash.

Whether the game actually takes place at Montferrand's ground or not is still not clear. Cold weather in Clermont Ferrand means that the ground is very hard. Beziers has been suggested as an alternative venue as has Brive.

Whilst Montferrand would lose their home advantage, a change of grounds would be a logistical nightmare for the travelling Bristol support.

Montferrand welcome back Aurelien Rougerie to the starting line up after a horrific throat injury brought about by a 'clash' with Phil Greening in a preseason friendly.

They will, however, be their starting centres from the last clash, Tony Marsh and Johnny Nguamo, and Gerald Merceron only makes the bench.

In the pack, there is no Richard Cockerill or Olivier Brouzet although Oliver Magne starts and he will be the dangerman.

For Bristol, Phil Christophers has failed to shake off his rib injury so the team is the same one that started against Harlequins last week. Shane Drahm and Scott Morgan were also not considered because of injury but Mike Lipman returns to the bench.

The Shoguns will have to step it up from last week and I'm sure that there will be a concerted effort from all the players in response to the criticism levelled at themeselves and the coaching staff after the defeat at the Stoop.

It's a big ask because Montferrand have a formidable home record, in fact it only fell in their last game against Leinster to a late Denis Hickie try.

However, stranger things have happened and Bristol seem to play well when their backs are against the wall. Now is such an occasion...