AS Montferrand annouce 2nd leg squad

By Jason Harris (filed: 29/1/04)
January 29 2004

AS Montferrand have annouced a 24 man squad that will travel to Vicarage Road and defend their 26-10 advantage over Saracens in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup quarter finals. The second leg kicks off at 3pm on Sunday and ASM have been given a boost ahead of the game with the return of Oliver Azam.

The former Gloucester hooker returns after a spell out injured and will challenge ex-Leicester and England favourite Richard Cockerill for the no.2 shirt this coming weekend.

Also added to the 22 that won at Stade Marcel Michelin last weekend are Moroccan prop Mohamed Gouasmia and English lock Ed Pearce. However, new signing Franck Comba will be ineligible to play in this match even though he will join the travelling Montferrandais.

Sarries, meanwhile, will be boosted by the timely return of their most influential player Richard Hill. Out since before Christmas with a broken nose sustained in England's win over the New Zealand Barbarians, Hill's presence will be vital if the Men in Black are to overturn a deficit that needs at least three scores over their opponents.

Coach Road Kafer will announce the Saracens squad on Friday with his ASM counterpart Alain Hyardet likely to announce his final 22 on Saturday.

AS Montferrand Vulcans squad

Forwards:
Brent Moyle, Richard Cockerill, Olivier Azam, David Attoub, Mohamed Gouasmia, Levan Tsabadze, Thibaut Privat, Ed Pearce, Hottie Louw, Michel Dieudé, Olivier Magne, Alexandre Audebert, Elvis Vermeulen, Marc Raynaud.

Backs:

Jérôme Moreau, Gérald Merceron, Pierre Mignoni, Jérôme Gendre, David Bory, Laurent Soucaze, Raphaël Chanal, Pat Howard, Sébastien Kuzbik, Aurélien Rougerie.