Six Nations stars poised for Challenge Cup action

The scrum half joins club-mates fly half Francois Trinh Duc, No 8 Louis Picamoles, flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo to catch Lievremont's eye while full back David Bortolussi was first choice for Italy before being injured.

While Tomas waits for his big chance almost 20 other players who have been starring in the Six Nations will be on parade in the prestigious European Challenge Cup quarter-finals on the weekend of 4 / 5 April.

On top of the four Montpellier players, the Castres Olympique pair of French captain Lionel Nallett and Italian threequarter Pablo Canavosio have featured in the tournament along with four from each of Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons and Bath Rugby.

The Sale players have been Jason White and Rory Lamont (Scotland), Lionel Faure (France) and Richard Wigglesworth (England).

Newcastle Falcons have supplied Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood and Matthew Tait to England's cause along with Steve Borthwick, Lee Mears, Matt Stevens and Michael Lipman from Bath Rugby.

Brive, Worcester Warriors and Leeds Carnegie are also involved in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals in April.