Toulon looking for their first ever Heineken Cup knockout stage win
Perpignan will start as the favourites if they have not opted to change the venue of their clash against the Toulon to decide the semi finalist for the Heineken Cup.
The match at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, which has been moved from Stade Aimé Giral, has already made to the record books by bettering the European Quarter Finals attendance record.
A total of 55,000 tickets have been sold for the Saturday clash beating the attendance record of 48, 500 at Lansdowne Road for European Quarter Finals back in November 2005.
Unlike 2005, where Leinster hosted Leicester Tigers, Perpignan has opted to let go the home ground advantage as they moved the all French Heineken quarterfinal to the neighbouring Spanish city of Catalan.
Perpignan would be eyeing a win to reach the semifinals that would be their first time since 2003. They last proceed beyond the quarter final stage in 2003 ended their campaign as the runner ups, as they conceded the game against the Toulouse in Dublin.
Perpignan have good built up ahead of the Saturday’s big match as they have enjoyed a recent good run of the form by winning five consecutive games during the Top 14.
Although they have lost their match to Toulouse last weekend, however they were not far away from the win as Toulouse edged to victory by a single point.
Perpignan would be better served with the services of Hooker Marius Tincu and Loose Forward Jean-Pierre Pérez. Hooker Marius Tincu will miss the match as he is suffering from knee injury while Loose Forward Jean-Pierre Pérez has injured his shoulder.
On the other hand, Toulon is the surprise team to make to the quarterfinals. Not only this they have shocked many claiming the top position in their pool and have the ability to question the Perpignan and shunt their progress.
Toulon was runner up in the last year’s Amlin Challenge Cup and has enjoyed good run of form with some impressive performances in French Top 14. Earlier in the season, Toulon has defeated the Munster and during last week encounter, they have defeated the
Stade Français.
Toulon has ring some changes for their maiden Heineken Cup knock out stages game. Jonny Wilkinson and Gabi Lovobalavu will again take the field on Saturday as Felipe Contepomi has been left out. Winger Paul Sackey Former England International has made to
replacements. After serving the suspension period David Marty will take field on Saturday and feature alongside the Philippe Grandclaude who has recovered from the injury.
Not much separates both teams and it still is anybody game until the end of the game. However, keeping in view the form of the Toulon during the season, they hold a slight advantage over the Perpignan.
Having said so, Toulon need to be on top of their game for the complete length of the game to edge home for a victory as Perpignan are certain to capitalise on any opportunity provided.
It is also certain that Perpignan after their last week defeat against the Toulouse would be repeating their mistakes in defence to provide opposition with easy scoring opportunities.
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