Challenge Cup, Round Four - teams and predictions

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PREVIEW: South Africa's two hopeful teams in Europe's second tier - the Lions and Cheetahs - have one last chance to salvage something from their sorrowful seasons.

The Challenge Cup's Round Four offers them a last shot at sneaking into the play-offs.

Section Paloise and Ospreys do battle to start Saturday's action.

Equal on 10 points in Pool Two after both winning their Round Three games against Dragons and Newcastle Falcons respectively, they'll both be aiming for a high ranking to secure home knockout ties.

Pool Two is then concluded as the Lions host the Dragons at an Ellis Park stadium often as empty as their trophy cabinet, both teams also equal on points and both losing out in Round Three, in a straight shootout for the final qualification spots.

The last two games of the day see Scarlets welcome RC Vannes and the Cheetahs traveling to Lyon.

Vannes are currently sitting in the last qualification spot in Pool Three, having earned a losing bonus point against Edinburgh, while Scarlets are a single point behind after coming away from Gloucester with nothing, so both need a win to secure play-off places.

A double header kicks off the final pool stage matchday on Sunday, as Edinburgh host Black Lion and Gloucester travel to Aviron Bayonnais.

The Scots earned a bonus-point win on the road against Vannes in Round Three, but in a tight pool they still need a win to secure qualification and will be aiming for a home knockout, while the Georgians fell to Aviron Bayonnais and sit in the bottom spot needing a bonus-point win to confirm qualification.

Simultaneously, Gloucester head to France off the back of a bonus-point win over Scarlets and will be eyeing a home knockout spot, but will be going head to head for that space with Aviron Bayonnais on equal points after a bonus-point victory against Black Lion.

The pool stage concludes with Zebre Parma hosting Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais needing a bonus-point win and for Cheetahs to get nothing from their trip to Lyon in order to qualify, having lost all their games so far.

Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais, on the other hand, currently sit in fourth just three points off second, so will be aiming for a bonus-point win to boost any chances of a home knockout, while looking over their shoulder at Cheetahs who are level on points.

(Continue below...)

In six matches dating back to the first meeting between the Lions and Dragons, in May 2021 of the inaugural URC season, the Dragons' best result against their Johannesburg-based counterparts was a 31-all draw at Ellis Park in December of 2022.

In this fixture's most recent skirmish, a try from loose forward Jarod Cairns, converted by playmaker Sanele Nohamba, negated a Taine Basham brace as the Lions clawed back from a six-point deficit in the second half to win 23-19 at Rodney Parade.

That victory marked their third in succession against the Welsh team.

Lions assistant coach Barend Pieterse admitted the desperate situation they are finding themselves are of their own doing and they are hoping Ellis Park will be where their revival starts - after five losses on the road, with a mid-December win over Section Paloise the only win since October.

"We have made it very difficult for ourselves," he said, adding that they are now reliant on other results.

"We have shot ourselves in the foot, but we won't give up the fight.

"We will need to be much better."

He added that the players have come together and the 'mood' in the camp has lifted since the disappointing trip to Europe and last week's humbling 5-28 loss to Montpellier.

"We didn't do ourselves any favours in the EPCR [Challenge Cup] games this season."

He said they won't be caught up in the hype and sideshows of relying on other results and will focus on their own game - getting five points at The Den.

Flank Izan Esterhuizen said they have no option to chase a bonus-point win, as no other result will suffice.

"It is not negotiable - we must get the bonus-point [win]," Esterhuizen said.

"Our tempo and accuracy are key aspects for a win."

(The article continues below the Lions preview video ...)

* After a victory over Zebre in Amsterdam last Sunday, the Cheetahs travel to France to face Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Matmut Stadium de Gerland, with a seating capacity of 25,000.

Lyon played in the Championship last year and is a strong side and has proven to be a tough challenge for South African teams.

Coach Izak van der Westhuizen spoke about the numerous permutations, but added that they must concentrate on their own game to secure the victory.

"We have had many injuries since the campaign's start, but I believe in this team and their ability and willingness to fight until the last minute," he said.

There are three changes to the team.

Ethan Wentzel (shoulder) and Michael Annies (hamstring) returned home due to injury.

Franco Smith and Cohen Jasper replace them.

Neels Volschenk is on the bench.

Seasoned hooker Louis van der Westhuizen spoke about the need to match the French physicality.

"If we stick to our game plan and execute well, we'll be in the mix," Van der Westhuizen said about the desperate need for another win.

"We need to be physical, keep our focus, and limit our mistakes.

"Most of the time these teams get points from your mistakes.

"It is those 'big moments' that win or lose these games."

All the teams and predictions are below ...

Saturday, January 18

Section Paloise v Ospreys
(Stade du Hameau, Pau – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 UK time; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Section Paloise: 15 Clément Mondinat, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Eliott Roudil (captain), 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 11 Gregoire Arfeuil, 10 Axel Desperes, 9 Thomas Souverbie, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Thibaut Hamonou, 6 Joel Kpoku, 5 Remi Picquette, 4 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 3 Guram Papidze, 2 Romain Ruffenach, 1 Ignacio Calles.
Replacements: 16 Youri Delhommel, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Brent Liufau, 20 Dan Jooste, 21 Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, 22 Dan Robson, 23 Emilien Gailleton.

Ospreys: 15 Iestyn Hopkins, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Owen Williams, 11 Ryan Conbeer, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Morgan Morse, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 James Ratti, 5 James Fender, 4 Will Spencer, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Lewis Lloyd, 1 Steff Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Garyn Phillips, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Lewis Jones, 20 Tristan Davies, 21 Luke Davies, 22 Tom Florence, 23 Jack Walsh.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
Assistant referees: Francesco Meschini (Italy), Luca Bisetto (Italy)
TMO: Guiseppe Vivarini (Italy)

Lions v Dragons
(Ellis Park, Johannesburg – Kick-off: 17.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Tapiwa Mafura, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Manuel Rass.

Dragons: 15 Huw Anderson, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen (captain), 11 Ewan Rosser, 10 Will Reed, 9 Che Hope, 8 Taine Basham, 7 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 6 Ryan Woodman, 5 George Nott, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Rodrigo Martinez Manzano.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Barny Langton-Cryer, 20 George Young, 21 Morgan Lloyd, 22 Lloyd Evans, 23 Harri Ackerman.

Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France)
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre (France), Vincent Blasco Baque (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Scarlets v RC Vannes
(Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli – Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 French time; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Scarlets: 15 Tom Rogers, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Eddie James, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Max Douglas, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Alec Hepburn.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Efan Jones, 22 Charlie Titcombe, 23 Ioan Nicholas.

RC Vannes: 15 Paul Surano, 14 Salesi Rayasi, 13 Inaki Ayarza, 12 Tani Vili, 11 Romaric Camou, 10 Jean Cotarmanac'h, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Karl Chateau, 7 Francisco Gorrissen (captain), 6 Leon Boulier, 5 Fabrice Metz, 4 Matthieu Uhila, 3 Paga Tafili, 2 Cyril Blanchard, 1 Charlesty Berguet.
Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Thomas Moukoro, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Joe Edwards, 21 Sione Kalamafoni, 22 Michael Ruru, 23 Maxime Lafage.

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Colin Brett (Scotland)

Lyon Olympique Universitaire v Cheetahs
(Matmut Stadium de Gerland, Lyon – Kick-off: 18.30; 19.30 SA time; 17.30 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Lyon Olympique Universitaire: 15 Davit Niniashvili, 14 Vincent Rattez, 13 Josiah Maraku, 12 Theo Millet, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Léo Berdeu, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Liam Allen, 7 Beka Saginadze (captain), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Alban Roussel, 4 Theo William, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Lyan Pakihivatau.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Hamza Kaabeche, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Félix Lambey, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Semi Radradra, 23 Thibaut Regard.

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 CJ Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Neels Volschenk, 22 Jandre Nel, 23 Litha Nkula.

Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum (England), Gareth Holsgrove (England)
TMO: Daniel Jones (England)

Sunday, January 19

Edinburgh v Black Lion
(Edinburgh – Kick-off: 13.00; 17.00 Georgian time; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Edinburgh: 15 Wes Goosen, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Lewis Wells, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Charlie Shiel, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Luke Crosbie (captain), 6 Tom Dodd, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Paddy Harrison, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Glen Young, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Ali Price, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Mosese Tuipulotu.

Black Lion: 15 Luka Tsirekidze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Tornike Kakhoidze, 12 Ioane Metreveli, 11 Shalva Aptsiauri, 10 Luka Matkava (captain), 9 Tengiz Peranidze, 8 Luka Ivanishvili (captain), 7 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 6 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 5 Guram Ganiashvili, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili, 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Vasil Kakovin.
Replacements: 16 Irakli Kvatadze, 17 Nika Khatiashvili, 18 Giorgi Chkhartishvili, 19 Lado Chachanidze, 20 Demuri Epremidze, 21 Davit Khuroshvili, 22 Amiran Shvangiradze, 23 Sandro Todua.

Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)
Assistant referees: Adrien Marbot (France), Benjamin Hernandez (France)
TMO: Cedric Marchat (France)

Aviron Bayonnais v Gloucester
(Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 UK time; 13.00 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Aviron Bayonnais: 15 Tom Spring, 14 Nadir Megdoud, 13 Guillaume Martocq, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Arnaud Erbinartegaray, 10 Camille Lopez (captain), 9 Baptiste Germain, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Baptiste Heguy, 6 Noa Traversier, 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Denis Marchois, 3 Pieter Scholtz, 2 Lucas Martin, 1 Martin Villar.
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Swan Cormenier, 18 Pascal Cotet, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Giovanni Habel-Kuffner, 21 Guillaume Rouet, 22 Joris Segonds, 23 Cheikh Tiberghien.

Gloucester: 15 George Barton, 14 Louis Hillman-Cooper, 13 Will Butler, 12 Max Knight, 11 Jacob Morris, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Charlie Chapman, 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Harry Taylor (captain), 6 Danny Eite, 5 Cameron Jordan, 4 Freddie Clarke, 3 Alfie Petch, 2 Morgan Nelson, 1 Jamal Ford-Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Archie McArthur, 18 Jono Benz-Salomon, 19 Deian Gwynne, 20 Caio James, 21 Caolan Englefield, 22 Rory Taylor, 23 Jack Cotgreave.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Mike English (Wales), Ellis Poulden (Wales)
TMO: Tom Spurrier (Wales)

Zebre v Perpignan
(Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma – Kick-off: 16.15; 16.15 French time; 15.15 GMT)

Prediction

Teams

Zebre: 15 Giacomo da Re, 14 Jacopo Trulla, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Scott Gregory, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Thomas Dominguez, 8 Giacomo Ferrari, 7 Jacopo Bianchi, 6 Luca Andreani, 5 Matteo Canali, 4 Rusiate Nasove, 3 Juan Pitinari, 2 Luca Bigi (captain), 1 Luca Rizzoli.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso di Bartolomeo, 17 Paolo Buonfiglio, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Leonardo Krumov, 20 Bautista Stavile Bravin, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Giovanni Licata, 23 Alessandro Gesi.

Perpignan: 15 Antoine Aucagne, 14 Jefferson Joseph, 13 Riko Buliruarua, 12 Apisai Naqalevu, 11 Seta Toganiyadrava, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Gela Aprasidze, 8 Alessandro Ortombina, 7 Patrick Sobela, 6 Noe Della Schiava, 5 Mathieu Tanguy, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Nemo Roelofse, 2 Victor Montgaillard (captain), 1 Bruce Devaux.
Replacements: 16 Mathys Lotrian, 17 Giorgi Tetrashvili, 18 Akato Fakatika, 19 Bastien Chinarro, 20 Lucas Bachelier, 21 James Hall, 22 Job Poulet, 23 Jean-Pascal Barraque.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Daniel Carson (Ireland), Tomas O'Sullivan (Ireland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

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* Additional reporting by @ChallengeCup_