Stormers on high alert for ‘wounded’ Toulon in Champions Cup knockout test

The Stormers won’t pitch up in Toulon with any complacency this weekend, despite their hosts not having the best of seasons currently.

Heading into the Champions Cup Round of 16, the Cape side travelled to France on Tuesday ahead of a big weekend where they will look to maintain some winning momentum in the European club competition, coming up against a wounded home team at the Stade Mayol (6pm kick-off).

According to Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani, they will not underestimate the French giants just because they are on a run of bad form.

The Stormers currently sit second in the United Rugby Championship after securing some notable wins in South Africa, but the challenge now is securing a Champions Cup quarter-final place, with one eye on the URC.

Hlungwani says their focus is firmly on Saturday’s clash, with the other competition on the back burner.

“It’s about the next game and how best we can do in it. We are not choosing between the URC and Champions Cup,” Hlungwani said.

“The biggest focus is playing Toulon and doing the best we can; regardless of what competition it is, we want to do the best we can. The focus is going hard on Toulon, and then we will look at the next game, after we’ve executed what we want against them. We are not thinking too far ahead in terms of whether we want to focus on the URC or Champions Cup.

“Toulon is a very good team despite their current results, and they have a lot of good players on their side. We expect a tough challenge and won’t have that mindset of complacency. We will be well-prepared for that.”

“There are a couple of guys who we are aware of, but there won’t be a focus on a specific guy, but rather on the entire team.”

The Stormers are weighing up their options for their team on Saturday. They kept their cards close to their chest by not announcing a touring squad. While it’s expected that some seasoned players will be in the mix, the challenge will be for the fringe players to step up should they get the opportunity.

Hlungwani remained coy when poked about possible selection conundrums and how the composition of the side might look.

They did not release a touring squad to keep Toulon guessing ahead of Saturday’s clash.

However, he warned that they will have to contend with some top international players in the Toulon squad, especially scrumhalf Baptiste Serin and the England-capped David Ribbans.

“We remember how he (Serin) punished us in PE last season, so we have learned a lot about him and studied him closely. If he doesn’t play in this game, it will be great for us. They have a lot of strong points when it comes to their players. Kyle Sinckler is there and Dave Ribbans, who we know quite well as he came through our system.”