Five-time Heineken Cup champions Toulouse welcome a Springbok-laden Cell C Sharks to the Stade Ernest Wallon for a mouth water inter hemisphere quarterfinal. 

Adding an extra layer of spice to proceedings is Toulouse captain Antoine Dupont's comments surrounding the South African side's addition to the Champions Cup. 

The French superstar said before round one of the competition: "For purists, it's a bit difficult to grasp. Our whole generation has known the legendary European Cup." 

"It's a new competition now. It's no longer the European Cup. We have to approach it like that and try to see the positive by telling ourselves that we will play new teams. But it's a bit hard to understand." 

With that, the stage is set for two of rugby's greatest club sides to meet in the most unique of clashes.

Team News

Toulouse head coach Ugo Mola has made four changes to his side that easily dispatched the Vodacom Bulls in last weekend's round of sixteen clashes. 

Three of the changes come in the forward pack, with Thibaud Flament and Peato Mauvaka coming into the starting line-up, whilst Francois Cros makes a positional shift to start at number eight. 

In the backline, Pierre-Louis Barassi replaces Santiago Chocobares at the outside centre position and will partner with the ever-dependable Pita Akhi. 

Finally, on the bench, Mola has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs in a clear nod to the power his side is expecting from the Sharks. 

The visitors have been dealt a cruel blow, with Springbok stars Eben Etzebeth and Jaden Hendrikse being ruled out through injury. 

Replacing Etzebeth is the dynamic Hyron Andres, who, whilst significantly lighter than Etzebeth, brings an up-tempo running game that should link well with the Shark's backline. 

Adding further pace to the Sharks game will be Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams, who is fast becoming one of the brightest prospects in South African rugby. 

Quotes From The Camps

Speaking ahead of the clash, Springbok World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am said there were plenty of sore bodies following their clash with Munster in the last sixteen. 

"The bodies were a bit sore after the Munster game; that was a physical game, close to test match demands," he said. "One or two wins get your momentum going, and right now, we're in a good space. We're going to France to go play rugby."

Switching his focus to the challenge ahead, Am said there would be some familiarity in playing the French side due to the style of play employed by the two nations. 

"The French sides have a similar style of play to us, with a focus on the set-piece and forward dominance with a backline that's not afraid to move the ball around. It's almost like-for-like, and going to Toulouse, they're a big side in France with home-ground advantage, which is going to be a challenge for us, but it's something we've prepared for. 

"As South African teams, we like the physical and confrontational side of things, and if you bring that against a side like Toulouse's big pack, it will give us confidence in the game. We just need to minimise the penalties and make sure our discipline is good so we don't give them opportunities to get into our 22, I think that will give us a fair chance." 

Prediction 

Making an already almighty challenge that bit tougher, injuries to two of their key players will see the Sharks battle Toulouse with one arm tied behind their back. 

Etzebeth is regarded as one of the finest secondrows the game has ever seen, and with good reason. Sitting on 110 Test Caps for the Springboks, the 6’9” bruiser has won all there is to win on the international stage. Never a passenger in any team he plays in, Etzebeth has a real knack of creating chaos at just the right moment for his team. Coming up against a powerful pack this weekend, his strength and experience would’ve been invaluable. 

At Scrumhalf, whilst Williams is a pocket rocket of dynamism, he lacks the control of Hendrikse, who is more a general around the pitch. Playing against the best player in the world in Dupont will be a learning experience for Williams but may have come just that bit too early to be a real contest. 

For the reasons listed above, it is difficult to see the Sharks coming away with a result against a settled side that has been there and done that. 

In what will likely be a tight battle for the early stages, Toulouse will continue their march towards the final in Dublin and, with it, a crack at revenge against Leinster. Toulouse by 15. 

Line-Ups 

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Juan Cruz Mallia, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Francois Cros, 7 Thibaud Flament, 6 Jack Willis, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 David Ainu’u, 19 Alexandre Roumat, 20 Joshua Brennan, 21 Alban Placines, 22 Arthur Retiere, 23 Dimitri Delibes 

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazola Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Hyron Andrews, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Ben Tapuai, 23 Thaakir Abrahams