In addition to the Champions of France (Clermont Auvergne) and the team that finished top of the Magners’ league (Leinster) we landed ourselves in a group with the “7th” French team, Racing Metro. Still, as they say, you have to be in it to win it! 

So our European adventure begins in the delightful surroundings of the Auvergne (and for those of us making the trip the weather forecast is excellent so hopefully lots of al fresco dining/eating) The Auvergne is apparently nicknamed the “Cheeseplatter” of France (sounds tasty) and its wines (Cotes d’Auvergne) are largely unknown outside France. Maybe that’s all about to change!!!!!!! 

We played Montferrand (as they were then) in the “Darragh-days” of 2004 in the quarter finals of the old Parker Pen, loosing in France 26-10 then winning 18-14 in Watford (6 Nicky Little penalties – a rare event in itself!) but loosing on points overall. (Montferrand lost out to Quins in the Final that year by 1 point). My memories of that day were mud, Magne and “murde” (they were just too good!) 

A quick look at the French top 14 table shows Clermont languishing in 6th (don’t get too excited – Racing Metro are top!) Actually that represents a bit of a recovery as a couple of weeks ago they were 9th but 2 big wins at home to Castres and Agen have lifted them into the “right” half of the table. Seems like they may have found their form at just the wrong time! 

Clermont feature 21 year old Morgan Parra, the French scrum half who has just been voted Top 14 Player of the Year and their coach Vern Cotter won the “Top Coach” award. They also contributed Thomas Domingo to the 2009/10 “Dream Team” (which incidentally also featured JW at fly half). As if that wasn’t enough, Clermont feature a galaxy of rugby super stars including Benoit Baby, Julian Bonnaire, Lionel Faure and Captain Aurelien Rougerie not to mention former Scottish Captain Jason White and Brent Russell, late of this parish. In fact no less than 15 members of the squad have been capped by France, 3 by Argentina, 2 by South Africa, 2 by New Zealand, and 1 each for Scotland, Samoa, Italy, Canada, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal. (In contrast Sarries can boast 4 for England, 4 for South Africa, 2 for Fiji, 2 for USA and 1 each for Wales, Scotland, Italy and Nambia. ) So no problems there then! 

Squad rotation makes it difficult to predict who the good Doctor will select although one would hope he would go for the strongest available line up. Hopefully Brits has recovered from the bang on the head as we will need him and on Sunday we saw how much we need Nieto in the front row. There might be a temptation to bring back Andy Saull but I feel neither the mighty Burger nor Brown should be left out and although Joubert has been a bit quiet lately he is an ever present threat. 

Either Wiggy or de Kock will have their work cut out around Parra and in a match of this status, Hougaard has to start at 10 (never thought I’d say that!). If Goodey is fit I would want him in the side but Wyles has been on fire for the past couple of weeks at full back. Still on the theory that you play your best players I’d have him on the wing with Strettle (if his shoulder is better). Barritt has to play at inside centre,(I am not convinced by Mordt)  probably alongside Ratuvou. 

So we travel in hope. At the very least it should be a fun weekend (our 33rd wedding anniversary among other celebrations). My husband is looking forward to seeing the countryside which sounds interesting on the plain of Limagne in the Massif Central, surrounded by a chain of volcanos topped by the Puy de Dome at 4,803 feet. (Apparently Le Tour has made occasional visits to the summit and it is a popular climb with cyclists. Think we’ll take the hire car!)