Wallabies Abroad: Long-time rivals meet again

Sat, Jan 2, 2016, 1:00 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman

Wallabies teammates Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sekope Kepu will come up against a familiar foe in the French Top 14 this weekend.

Ashley-Cooper and Kepu will start on the pine when they come up against second-placed Racing 92, a team featuring former New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter.

Bordeaux sits fifth heading into the 12th round of the season and the Aussies will face a familiar foe in the match.

Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen will start at number eight for Montpellier against Brive, with Jesse Mogg at fullback.

Nic White will come off the bench for Montpellier in the match, with the side coming off a big win over last weekend.

Peter Kimlin will come off the bench for Grenoble when they face Oyonnax on Saturday night (AEDT)

The Top 14 continues on Monday morning with some blockbuster matches, featuring plenty of Aussies.

Toulon takes on Pau, looking to bounce back after a loss to Toulouse in round 11.

Stade Francais faces a major challenge to upset Toulouse in Paris on Monday morning (AEDT).

The Parisians have just four wins from 11 matches, while top of the table Toulouse have eight wins to their name.

PREMIERSHIP

Wallabies veteran George Smith is back in action for Wasps this weekend as they face Sale Sharks.

The match-up looms as a dangerous one for the Wasps, with the Sharks unbeaten at their home ground across all tournaments since April.

Peter Betham’s Leicester Tigers will face reigning champions Saracens in the Premiership this weekend, but the former Wallabies back has not been named for the match.

James Horwill has been named at lock for Harlequins this weekend when they face Worcester.

Harlequins have won eight of their last nine matches across the Premiership and European tournaments.

Former Wallabies and Rebels back Cooper Vuna will line up on the left wing for Worcester in the match.

PRO 12

Mark Chisholm will start at lock for Munster against Ulster in the Pro 12 on Saturday night (AEDT).

Taqele Naiyaravoro will line up on the right wing for Glasgow, facing local rivals Edinburgh for the second week straight at Murrayfield.

Glasgow will be looking to even the tally after going down to Edinburgh 23-11 when they played last weekend.

Luke Burgess will play at halfback for Zebre as they meet Benetton Treviso for the second consecutive week.

JAPAN

There are no Japan Top League fixtures this weekend, with playoffs set to start next weekend.


Share
Brumbies look for Alaalatoa to spark Super response
LIVE: Rebels out to continue red-hot run against Crusaders
Turning Red: Alex Hodgman set to face familiar foes in Blues blockbuster
Manenti relishing tough Singapore draw as he reflects on 'up-front' Hooper chat