Top 14 rugby semi-final match preview: Clermont v Castres
Clermont are looking to bounce back from Heineken Cup defeat as they take on Castres for a place in the Top 14 final.
Last Updated: 25/05/13 6:26pm
Despite narrowly missing out to compatriots Toulon in Dublin last weekend Clermont will head into the semi-final favourites to seal their ticket to the Stade de France.
Top of the standing at the end of the regular season, Clermont have featured in last four every year since 2007 but have lost their last two semi-finals.
While few will look beyond the 2010 champions, flanker Julien Bonnaire insists Clermont are by no means complacent.
"They're not there by chance, they're a complete team but we're capable of beating whoever," the 34-year-old said.
Holding Out
Clermont await news on the fitness of several players including; Ti'I Paulo, Benjaming Kayser, Gerhard Vosloo, Jamie Cudmore, Wesley Fofana and Morgan Parra who have all missed training earlier this week.
Meanwhile Castres coaches Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers are set to switch to Racing Metro next season and will be eager to end their reign on a high.
Since the duos arrival four years ago Castres have featured in the play-offs every season but are yet to reach the final.
Castres are boosted by the return to fitness of French international prop Yannick Forestier, Samoan lock Joe Tekori and centre Romain Cabannes.
Antonie Claassen scored a crucial try for Castres as they completed a convincing 25-12 victory over Montpellier in the last round to book their place in the semi-final at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Clermont were the victors last time the duo met, winning 37-10 in the Top 14 back in March.
Clermont: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Aurélien Rougerie (capt), 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Julien Bardy, 6 Julien Bonnaire, 5 Loïc Jacquet, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Raphael Chaume.
Replacements:16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Alexandre Lapandry, 20 Ludovic Radosavljevic, 21 Brock James, 22 Benson Stanley, 23 Daniel Kotze.
Castres: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Romain Martial, 13 Romain Cabannes, 12 Seremaia Baï, 11 Marc Andreu, 10 Remi Talès, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Antonie Claassen, 7 Yannick Caballero, 6 Ibrahim Diarra, 5 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 4 Christophe Samson, 3 Karena Wihongi, 2 Brice Mach, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau.
Replacements: 16 Mathieu Bonello, 17 Yannick Forestier, 18 Joe Tekori, 19 Janie Bornman, 20 Romain Teulet, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Paul Bonnefond, 23 Mihaïta Lazar.