The China Mail - 'Motivated' Bordeaux-Begles launch Champions Cup defence at 'Bull Ring'

The French club swept to their first major trophy in May, edging Northampton in the final to join the top table of continental rugby.

Only 14 outfits have lifted the Champions Cup, since it was first played in 1995, with UBB's ambition firmly fixed on retaining the title at next year's final in Bilbao.

"We have the motivation of being title-holders and wanting to keep that status," Bordeaux-Begles's South African forward Tiaan Jacobs told AFP on Thursday.

"I think that nothing will stop us even if it's going to be a very tough first 20 minutes against the Bulls.

"They're going to come out hard and firing.

"The Bulls are a really physical side and Loftus Versfeld, better known as the Bull Ring, is a tough place to play," the 21-year-old added.

The 51,000-capacity ground in Pretoria is a daunting arena for any side to play in, considering the strength of Jake White's side.

When sides run through the tunnel at the ground before the game, the last thing they see is a sign reading, 'Altitude. 1,350m. It matters' above them, to underline the difficulty of playing in such thin air.

"I think the altitude will definitely have a role to play in the game, but I think we've prepared well," Jacobs said.

"We've been here a week in advance getting used to the conditions.

"I don't think it'll be something that will affect us too much," the East London native added.

- 'Play the best' -

Jacobs has travelled back to his home country having left to join Biarritz in 2022 and is joined in the Rainbow Nation by a first-choice Bordeaux-Begles side, despite the arduous travel schedule.

The likes of France wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey as well as maverick fly-half Matthieu Jalibert are set to feature against last season's United Rugby Championship runners up.

"I think being one of the best clubs in the world and being the Champions Cup champions, I don't think we target any game to not put our strongest side into," Jacobs said.

"We need to be the best and play against the best.

"Every week we try to put the best team possible forward to to try get the result that we want," he added.

Elsewhere, in the first round, Northampton head to Pau, on the French club's first appearance in the tournament since 2000/2001.

Top 14 leaders Toulouse host the Sharks while New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane is set for his Leinster debut as the four-time winners welcome Harlequins.

Other title-contenders include Bath and Munster, who meet on Saturday.

English Prem champions and leaders Bath won the Challenge Cup last season.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Pool 1: Sale (ENG) v Glasgow (SCO); Pool 3: Bayonne (FRA) v Stormers (RSA) (both 2000)

Saturday

Pool 1: Saracens (ENG) v Clermont (FRA) (1300); Pool 2: Bath (ENG) v Munster (IRL) (2000); Pool 3: La Rochelle (FRA) v Leicester (ENG), Leinster (IRL) v Harlequins (ENG) (both 1730); Pool 4: Bulls (RSA) v Bordeaux-Begles (FRA) (1515), Scarlets (WAL) v Bristol (ENG) (2000)

Sunday

Pool 1: Toulouse (FRA) v Sharks (RSA) (1515) ; Pool 2: Gloucester (ENG) v Castres (FRA) (1515), Edinburgh (SCO) v Toulon (FRA) (1630) ; Pool 4: Pau (FRA) v Northampton (ENG) (1300)

Q.Moore--ThChM