Tigers wary of Stade backlash
The Tigers head to Stade Charlety knowing that victory would strengthen their quarter-final claims from Pool Three and leave last season's runners-up close to elimination.
Stade's shock 13-8 defeat against the Ospreys last weekend has left them behind the eight-ball, and they are again missing several injured players for tomorrow's clash, including Sylvain Marconnet, David Auradou, Stephane Glas and Julien Arias.
Howard, though, is not being lulled into any false sense of security.
"Stade have a fabulous squad, and regardless of who they pick they will be very, very formidable," he said.
"They are far more 'English' than a lot of the other French teams. They are well-drilled, they play very well-constructed rugby and they are disciplined. We know it's going to be a tough game and we also know that it is a crucial game.
"Teams in this pool will win at home the team that knocks someone off away from home will be in with a shout come the quarter-finals."
Bath rugby director John Connolly has dismissed Bourgoin's Heineken Cup form of last season prior to a key Pool Five meeting at the Recreation Ground today.
Bourgoin lost all six pool games but Connolly anticipates a stern test as the west country club look to build on last Saturday's triumph against Leinster in Dublin.
"Bourgoin are a very capable side," said Connolly, who has made one change, starting Gareth Delve at number eight instead of Zak Feaunati.
"They have reached the French Championship play-offs for the past couple of seasons and they have a formidable home record. It will be a very tough match."
Wasps' Causeway Stadium showdown with Toulouse tomorrow could decide the English champions' Heineken Cup fate this term, particularly after their unexpected Edinburgh reversal.
A second successive loss would leave them struggling to make the quarter-finals and Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan has announced just one change, replacing tighthead prop Peter Bracken with Jon Dawson.
STADE FRANCAIS: Hernandez, Borges, Messina, Liebenberg, M Bergamasco, Penaud, Pichot; Roncero, Szarzewski, de Villiers (capt), Marchois, James, Parisse, Martin, Sowerby.
Replacements: M Blin, Y Montes, P Rabadan, Mauro Bergamasco, J Fillol, T Lacroix, O Sarramea,
LEICESTER: Murphy, Tuilagi, Smith, Gibson, Varndell, Goode, Ellis; Moreno, Chuter, Morris, Cullen, Hamilton, Moody, Jennings, Corry (capt).
Replacements: J Buckland, M Holford, B Kay, W Johnson, A Healey, R Broadfoot, D Hipkiss.
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