The Shoguns go into the Anglo-French clash knowing that they need to win in order to keep alive their chances of qualification to the next phase.

After four games Bristol Shoguns sit in second place in pool four, having scored 107 points and 10 tries.

The Bristol side have a 100 per cent home record in the Heineken Cup having defeated both Montferrand and Swansea at the Memorial Stadium. However, Thorburn's team have had two narrow defeats away at both Leinster and Swansea.

All Blacks centre Daryl Gibson leads the way with four tries in the four pool games. Gibson is closely followed by Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi, who has scored three tries and totalled 56 points in three pool games, having missed the last outing at home against Swansea.

Aussie U21 flanker Michael Lipman goes straight onto the replacements bench after returning from Australia this week. The openside travels as Peter Thorburn has injuries to other back row players Craig Short and Ben Sturnham.

Other players not considered due to injury include Shane Drahm (ankle), Phil Christophers (rib), Scott Morgan (back) and Neil McCarthy (knee).

Bristol Shoguns: L Best; D Rees, A Higgins, D Gibson, B Daniel; F Contepomi, A Pichot; A Sheridan, P Johnstone, J White, G Archer (capt), A Brown, M Salter, R Oakley, R Beattie

Replacements: S Nelson, E Bergamaschi, D Crompton, M Lipman, P Richards, M Carrington, J Williams