By Ben Harman
December 5 2002

Ben Harman previews the Parker Pen Challenge Cup second round match between Saracens and Colomiers at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon. Press tales of the demise of Colomiers appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Scoring 20 tries in the first round of the Parker Pen Cup is no mean feat even if it was against Italian minnows L'Aquila.

Domestically things could hardly be described as desperate either. French rugby runs 2 professional divisions and Colomiers is firmly ensconced in the middle of Poule 2 having won four and lost five in their campaign so far, with only points difference separating them from Perpignan and Narbonne above them.

When you consider that their division includes such giants of the French game as Toulouse, Agen and Pau, this is not too bad a record which, on closer examination, reveals that they have an impressive 100% record at home, although with no wins on the road.

Colomiers, like Sarries, have recently acquired a new coach. Philippe Ducousso was appointed on 20 November with immediate effect and has signed for three years. Previously the France U21 coach and Fitness coach for Colomiers, Mr Ducousso has also been given Carte Blanche to sign a backs and a forwards coach to assist him.

Amongst his playing squad is the irrepressible Jean Luc Sadourny who, at 36, must surely be approaching the end of his career. Japanese back row Saito Yuya makes Colomiers one of the only other clubs in Europe to have an Oriental element to their team. Also on the roster is Arnaud Dumas who played alongside Castaignede and Califano at Toulouse.

The "Columerins", reports their website are looking forward to the Saracens' Frenchmen making an appearance at Stade Sélery which they say should be "a spectacle not to be missed".

First of course they have to get past the men in red on their home turf. Regardless of the team or the result, one thing you can always be sure of when playing the French is that they will have packed aggression and flair aplenty for their trip across "La Manche".

Expect a feisty battle up front and genuine pace in the backline. Having said all that, if Sarries front up and play like we know they can, this is a game we should win and with some to spare for the return trip next week.