Vern Cotter will send his ASM Clermont Auvergne team out against Worcester Warriors at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Saturday...
Vern Cotter will send his ASM Clermont Auvergne team out against Worcester Warriors at Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on Saturday looking to strike a major psychological blow against the English club.
"We will be looking to make a big impact in the home leg against Worcester next weekend - our guys like playing at home and we want to make the most of any psychological advantage from getting a result now which we could benefit from in January," said New Zealand-born coach Cotter.
"We were delighted to win at Albi last week. I was very happy with the way the guys played and to be the first French team to win at Albi this season is something we're proud of. We didn't pick up any major injuries so we're looking to field a full team against Worcester.
"Although they have not had a very good start to the season, we have had some feedback about Worcester and we know they are very dangerous so we'll be looking at our defensive lines and set pieces and maybe look towards working against the English style of play rather than the French which we are more used to.
"We've got a very heavy Top 14 season so it's a great opportunity to give some of the guys their big chance.
"It's very important for some of the guys out there, getting their first taste of European rugby, and they are all looking forward to playing an English side for the first time. As we have not met Worcester before in European rugby, it's difficult for us to know what to expect but I know Aleki Lutui well as he was my hooker at Bay of Plenty for four years."
