THE lead photograph on page one of Brive’s La Montagne on Saturday suggested it was “David défie Goliath”, and given the paths these two clubs have taken since the start of European rugby competition in 1995, the Amlin Challenge quarter-final was aptly billed.

GLOUCESTER boss Dean Ryan accepts his team will head into “a confrontational environment” when they tackle Heineken Cup hosts Bourgoin tonight.

A GOOD start, maintain the tempo, control the football, be accurate and disciplined and don’t be intimidated by a partisan crowd – these will be some of Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan orders to his team as the first of two “trials” ahead of Rugby World Cup 2007 kicks off at the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario in Santa Fe later today (kick off 8:10pm Irish time).

Prop Pablo Federico Cardinali has been called up to Argentina’s 22-man squad for the two Test series against Ireland after Pablo Gambarini was forced to withdraw through injury.