The Champions Cup continues this weekend with the second round of the 2022/23 season once again seeing 12 matches scheduled, including Leicester v Clermont.

Check out all the team news and predictions, here.

Friday

Leinster v Gloucester

Prediction: Leinster by 35

The teams:

Leinster: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose (c), 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 Jordan Larmour

Gloucester: 15 Lloyd Evans, 14 Alex Hearle, 13 Giorgi Kveseladze, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jacob Morris, 10 George Barton, 9 Ben Meehan (c), 8 Albert Tuisue, 7 Jack Clement, 6 Jake Polledri, 5 Arthur Clark, 4 Freddie Thomas, 3 Ciaran Knight, 2 Henry Walker, 1 Harry Elrington
Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Alex Seville, 18 Kirill Gotovtsev, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Harry Taylor, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Seb Atkinson, 23 Kyle Moyle

Venue: RDS Arena
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant Referees: Jérémy Rozier (France), Adrien Descottes (France)
TMO: Denis Grenouillet (France)

Bordeaux-Begles v Sharks

Prediction: Sharks by 5

The teams:

Bordeaux: 15 Nans Ducuing, 14 Geoffrey Cros, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Madosh Tambwe, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Jules Gimbert, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Antoine Miquel, 6 Renato Giammarioli, 5 Jandré Marais (c), 4 Cyril Cazeaux, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Clement Maynadier, 1 Lekso Kaulashvili
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Christopher Vaotoa, 19 Alban Roussel, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Santiago Cordero, 22 Matéo Garcia, 23 Rémi Lamerat

Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Lukhanyo Am

Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales (England), James Clarke (England)
TMO: Dean Richards (England)

Saturday

Edinburgh v Castres

Prediction: Edinburgh by 3

The teams:

Edinburgh: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Matt Currie, 12 James Lang, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Luke Crosbie, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist (c), 4 Glen Young, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Angus Williams, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Ben Muncaster, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Charlie Savala, 23 Chris Dean

Castres: 15 Julien Dumora, 14 Martin Laveau, 13 Antoine Zeghdar, 12 Adrien Seguret, 11 Antoine Bouzerand, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Julien Blanc, 8 Kevin Kornath, 7 Asier Usarraga, 6 Baptiste Delaporte (c), 5 Théo Hannoyer, 4 Gauthier Maravat, 3 Aurélien Azar, 2 Pierre Colonna, 1 Quentin Walcker
Replacements: 16 Brice Humbert, 17 Loîs Guérois-Galisson, 18 Antoine Guillamon, 19 Florent Vanverberghe, 20 Baptiste Cope, 21 Josaia Raisuqe, 22 Rory Kockott, 23 Thomas Larregain

Venue: DAM Health Stadium
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant Referees: Nick Wood, Peter Allan
TMO: David Rose

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Here is your @ExeterChiefs side to face @BlueBullsRugby in tomorrow's @ChampionsCup clash at @SandyParkExeter (1pm) ⬇️https://t.co/mSsnMLA1gC#EXEvBUL pic.twitter.com/v7MGghxji4

— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) December 16, 2022

Exeter Chiefs v Bulls

Prediction: Exeter by 7

The teams:

Exeter: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Rory O’Loughlin, 11.Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Sam Maunder, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (c), 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Will Becconsall, 22 Solomone Kata, 23 Josh Hodge

Bulls: 15 Wandisile Simelane, 14 Sibongile Novuka, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Chris Smith, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Morné Steyn (c), 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Muller Uys, 7 WJ Steenkamp, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Janko Swanepoel, 4 Reinhardt Ludwig, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dylan Smith
Replacements: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Cameron Hanekom, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Carlton Banies, 23 Juan Mostert

Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant Referees: Jonathan Dufort, Vincent Blasco-Baque
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure

Lyon v Saracens

Prediction: Saracens by 12

The teams:

Lyon: 15 Alexandre Tchaptchet, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Thibaut Regard, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Tavite Veredamu, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Baptiste Couilloud, 8 Jordan Taufua (c), 7 Mickael Guillard, 6 Theo William, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Felix Lambey, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Yanis Charcosset, 1 Hamza Kaabèche
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Marchand, 17 Jérôme Rey, 18 Paulo Tafili, 19 Loann Goujon, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Jonathan Pélissié, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Alfred Parisien

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Callum Hunter-Hill, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Jackson Wray, 20 Andrew Christie, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Alex Goode, 23 Max Malins

Venue: Matmut Stadium de Gerland
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Frank Murphy
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross, Paul Haycock
TMO: Leo Colgan

Leicester Tigers v Clermont

Prediction: Leicester by 5

The teams:

Leicester: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 5 Calum Green, 4 Ollie Chessum, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 James Cronin
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Chris Ashton

Clermont: 15 Alex Newsome, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Cheik Tiberghien, 12 Apisai Naqalevu, 11 Bautista Delguy, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Arthur Iturria (c), 7 Alexandre Fischer, 6 Killian Tixeront, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Yohan Beheregaray, 1 Etienne Falgoux
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Boudou, 17 Daniel Bibi Biziwu, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Thibaud Lanen, 21 Baptiste Jauneau, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Jean-Pascal Barraque

Venue: Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace
Assistant Referees: Peter Martin, Oisin Quinn
TMO: Brian MacNeice

Stormers v London Irish

Prediction: Stormers by 9

The teams:

Stormers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c)
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Suleiman Hartzenberg

London Irish: 15 Ben Loader, 14 Lucio Cinti Luna, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Josh Basham, 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 2 Mike Willemse, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben White, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Will Joseph

Venue: DHL Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Pierre Brousset
Assistant Referees: Taul Trainini, Benoit Rousselet
TMO: Thomas Charabas

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📋 Your Ulster team to face @staderochelais at Kingspan Stadium tomorrow evening 👊#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/5Bk2ykwnrl

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) December 16, 2022

Ulster v La Rochelle

Prediction: La Rochelle by 10

The teams:

Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Ethan McIlroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Iain Henderson (c), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Dave McCann, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Stewart Moore, 23 Ben Moxham

La Rochelle: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 UJ Seuteni, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Pierre Boudehent, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Yoan Tanga, 6 Remi Bourdeau, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Romain Sazy, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 17 Thierry Paiva, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Thomas Berjon, 22 Levani Botia, 23 Raymond Rhule

Venue: Kingspan Stadium
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: George Selwood, John Meredith
TMO: Rowan Kitt

Montpellier v Ospreys

Prediction: Montpellier by 15

The teams:

Montpellier: 15 Anthony Bouthier (c), 14 Ben Lam, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Paolo Garbisi, 11 George Bridge, 10 Louis Carbonel, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Alexandre Becognee, 6 Clement Doumenc, 5 Bastien Chalureau, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Enzo Forletta
Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Grégory Fichten, 18 George Tuinukuafe, 19 Marco Tauleigne, 20 Leo Coly, 21 Julien Tisseron, 22 Masivesi Dakuwaqa, 23 Paul Willemse

Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Mike Collins, 12 Kieran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric (c), 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Tom Francis, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Joe Hawkins

Venue: GGL Stadium
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
Assistant Referees: Dan Jones, Wayne Falla
TMO: Adam Leal

Sunday

Northampton Saints v Munster

Prediction: Munster by 3

The teams:

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 James Ramm, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tommy Freeman, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 David Ribbans, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Ehren Painter, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Alex Waller
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Aaron Hinkley, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Fraser Dingwall

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Peter O’Mahony (c), 6 Jack O’Donoghue, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Diarmuid Barron, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 John Hodnett, 20 Alex Kendellen, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Shane Daly

Venue: cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
Assistant Referees: Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy, Jonathan Gasnier
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin

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Time to cross the channel #SharksFam! ✈️

Alex makes five changes to #YourSharks as Byron McGuigan and Sam Hill return to the starting line up and Ryan Mills get's back into the Sharks jersey 🙌.#TOUvSAL | #SharkTime

— Sale Sharks 🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) December 16, 2022

Toulouse v Sale Sharks

Prediction: Toulouse by 8

The teams:

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Lucas Tauzin, 13 Dimitri Delibes, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Joshua Brennan, 20 Yannick Youyoutte, 21 Selevasio Tolofua, 22 Sofiane Guitoune, 23 Martin Page Relo

Sale Sharks: 15 Byron McGuigan, 14 Arron Reed, 13 Sam James, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Tom O’Flaherty, 10 Rob du Preez (c), 9 Gus Warr, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Jean-Luc du Preez, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Bevan Rodd
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Jono Ross, 20 Ben Curry, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Tom Curtis, 23 Ryan Mills

Venue: Stade Ernest Wallon
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo, Manuel Bottino
TMO: Matteo Liperini

Harlequins v Racing 92

Prediction: Harlequins by 5

The teams:

Harlequins: 15 Nick David, 14 Cadan Murley, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Tommy Allan, 9 Danny Care, 8 Alex Dombrandt (c), 7 Will Evans, 6 Jack Kenningham, 5 Irne Herbst, 4 Dino Lamb, 3 Simon Kerrod, 2 George Head, 1 Fin Baxter
Replacements: 16 Jack Musk, 17 Jordan Els, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 George Hammond, 20 Tom Lawday, 21 Lewis Gjaltema, 22 Will Edwards, 23 Oscar Beard

Racing 92: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 11 Donovan Taofifenua, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Teddy Iribaren, 8 Kitione Kamikamica, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Anthime Hemery, 5 Fabien Sanconnie, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Biyi Alo, 2 Janick Tarrit, 1 Guram Gogichashvili
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Jonathan Maïau, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 21 Antoine Gibert, 22 Henry Chavancy, 23 Louis Dupichot

Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Craig Evans
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones, Rhys Jones
TMO: Ben Whitehouse

In an interview published in today’s L’Équipe, former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has spoken for the first time since his dismissal, with the club hiring Luis Campos as sporting adviser in his stead.

The Brazilian notably addresses the rumours that his departure was linked to Kylian Mbappé’s extension, which was made official just hours before he was informed he would be leaving, in the midst of the title celebrations after the 5-0 win over Metz.

Your departure also came the night of Kylian Mbappé’s extension. Is there a link, in your opinion?

No. It was the end of the season and maybe it was the time to decide things for the future.

Were you not told your departure was a condition for him to extend?

No, I wasn’t told that. But I don’t want to get into that kind of thing. And the fact that they’ve managed to hold on to that player, a Frenchman and a Parisian, is important for PSG and for Ligue 1.

Do you know why you are leaving? Were you given an explanation?

Certain things which are said internally should stay that way. It’s what I’ve experienced with the club. When the club wants to get rid of you, there’s no nice way to say it’s over.

But there’s also the right timing. To do it the evening you are celebrating the title and Mbappé’s extension can seem shocking

That’s your judgement. Judging a decision is easier than making the decision. Being in a decision-making position is not easy. It’s a lonely job. OK, you’ve made a decision, it might shock people, but it’s your decision. Everyone is under pressure a bit. Everyone is in difficulty and is in the race.

Did you want to stay on?

Yes, yes I did. But I understand that these things happen. There are unexpected situations which take place, that’s how it is. I am very pragmatic. Three years in football these days is a lot.

It can seen a short time to put your ideas into place

That’s true, but I think PSG have their own ideas.

Are you leaving without bitterness?

I leave with zero bitterness! Honestly, zero! But then I have my vision. But it’s not the time to pour my heart out. It’s the time to thank Qatar and Paris for giving me this opportunity. And I’m not doing it out of populism.

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In a press release, Marseille have announced the arrival of Javier Ribalta as director of football at the club, reuniting with Pablo Longoria with whom he worked at Juventus. 

Ribalta will “continue the development of the club” having been named as director of football. Ribalta has previously worked at AC Milan, Manchester United and Juventus. More recently, he worked at Russian side Zenit St Petersburg as a sporting director, before becoming a technical director at Parma Calcio. 

Marseille’s Longoria and Ribalta worked together at Juventus between 2015 and 2017, and are this time reunited at the Orange Vélodrome. In his new role, Ribalta will “supervise the entire sporting policy at the club.”

David Friio, present at Marseille since 2020 in his role as technical director, has been named as the sporting director. He will “ensure the relationship between the management and the squad, as well as leading the scouting teams.”

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As reported by Foot Mercato, Marseille have offered a contract to Belgian international midfielder Axel Witsel who is a priority target for OM president Pablo Longoria this summer as he looks to strengthen the club’s midfield with experienced players ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

Marseille’s offer includes a two-year deal for the 33-year-old, who is about to leave Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer at the end of his current contract, with an option for a third season. The player’s salary would be €4m per year while both Witsel and his wife are keen on the move to France. Reportedly, Marseille have spent the last two weeks convincing the former Zenit player to join them but they face competition from the USA, Germany, and Turkey with Atlético Madrid especially keen to sign the player.

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A stalwart of the Belgian national team, Witsel has tallied 122 Belgian caps, scoring 12 goals, in a 14-year international career, and played 145 times for Dortmund after returning to Europe from Chinese football in 2018.

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Le Parisien report this afternoon that Paris Saint-Germain will kick off their 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign away to Clermont, on the weekend of August 7-8.

The same fixture last season ended in a resounding victory for the eventual champions, as both Kylian Mbappé and Neymar struck hat-tricks in a 6-1 win.

The full calendar of fixtures is set to be released at the end of the week. After the opening weekend, the team will host Montpellier at the Parc des Princes before facing Monaco the two matchdays later, in what will be the first headline clash of the season.

PSG will then face Lyon on matchday 8, while the clash against Marseille will take place on October 16. The first leg of Le Classique will be played at the Parc des Princes, with the Vélodrome then hosting on February 26. The season will also finish against Clermont in Paris, with the penultimate and antepenultimate home fixtures coming against Rennes and Lyon.

This season will see a six-week-long break from November to December as a result of the World Cup in Qatar, meaning the season will end in June. The action will resume in winter on December 28 for matchday 16.

In the lead-up to the start of the season, PSG will go on a pre-season tour of Japan from July 17 to 25, with training sessions starting again at the Camp des Loges on July 4.

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Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato reports this afternoon that both Nice and Rennes have enquired over the availability of Metz full-back Fabien Centonze for a summer transfer.

Les Grenats, who were relegated from Ligue 1 after a 19th-place finish last season, have set their asking price for the 26-year-old at €3m. He has been with the Lorraine side since 2019, having previously turned out for his formative club Évian, as well as Clermont and Lens in Ligue 2.

The Brittany side are expecting to lose Hamari Traoré this summer and are in the market for a replacement, while Nice could well see Youcef Atal depart this summer having only played in a third of the campaign.

Centonze is also the subject of interest from abroad, with Schalke 04 looking to sign him as well. The Bundesliga side have gone as far as approaching the right-back’s representatives.

A muscle injury sustained at the start of the year has meant that the Frenchman was unable to do anything about his side’s demotion to Ligue 2, despite having impressed in the first half of the season with 4 goals and an assist over 16 matches.

 

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Exeter Chiefs head coach Ali Hepher says his side is in “a pleasing position” after defeating the Bulls 44-14 in the Champions Cup at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Luke Cowan-Dickie scored a hat-trick for the hosts who have now claimed a full house of points in their opening two games in the tournament.

Got the job done

Having claimed successive bonus-point wins to kickstart their campaign, Hepher is pleased with his side’s position as they head into the break in a solid place to progress from Pool A.

“Starting out in this competition, if you can get to 10 points by the break, we are obviously in a pleasing position,” he said.

“Coming off the back of an emotional performance last week (against Castres), I am pleased with how the boys rocked up and got the job done.

“It’s pretty straightforward. You have four incredibly tough games, and every point is crucial.

“To get an away bonus-point last week and to back it up today was important.”

Exeter to send a full-strength squad to Pretoria

Jake White stunned many with his team announcement to face Lyon last week and backed largely the same team to take on Exeter Chiefs.

While the understrength Bulls outfit claimed a five-point maximum against Lyon in Pretoria last week, they could not back that performance up at Sandy Park.

Stravino Jacobs and Chris Smith’s second-half scores, both converted by fly-half Morne Steyn, did give White’s charges some hope, but in the end, it was a one-sided encounter.

Apart from Cowan-Dickie’s three tries, there were also touchdowns for flanker Dave Ewers, who was yellow carded late in the game, centre Henry Slade and replacement back Solomone Kata.

While the Bulls travelled without some of their best players, Hepher said Exeter would not do the same for the return fixture at Loftus next month.

“That’s the plan, yes,” he said when asked if they would send their strongest available squad.

“We view this competition very highly, and the players worked very hard last season to get into it.

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“They want to be in this competition and playing in it.

“We want to give the guys the experiences they deserve, pitching themselves against the best teams in the world, really. That’s where it needs to be.

“We have a high regard for the competition, and we want to be successful in it.”

High praise for man of the match Ewers

Hepher had high praise for Ewers, who also shone in the 27-12 success against Castres seven days ago.

Ewers scored tries in both games, and Hepher said: “He has been incredibly impressive. He can shift, he can defend, he understands the game very well. There is a very good package there.

“When he is on the field, he brings you a physical presence, which you need against these guys.”

White calls for a more travel-friendly tournament

Meanwhile, White urged tournament organisers to make the competition more “travel friendly”.

“The people who organise this competition will have to look at how they can make it more travel-friendly,” White said.

The Bulls boss left 21 players in South Africa for the clash against the Stormers next Friday.

The Pretoria-based side then tackle the Dragons in Newport on January 6 before hosting Exeter eight days later and then visiting Lyon six days after that.

As confirmed by the club, Guingamp’s soon-to-be out of contract Comoros international midfielder Youssouf M’Changama has joined newly promoted Auxerre, who ousted Saint-Etienne via the play-offs to return to Ligue 1 for the first time since 2012 last month.

The 31-year-old M’Changama has signed a two year deal with AJA which includes an option for a third after another strong season for EAG, scoring nine times and adding 15 assists in 33 Ligue 2 games, having long been one of the second tier’s best players. The midfielder notably impressed for his national side during January’s AFCON as they surprisingly made the knock-out stages in Cameroon while M’Changama’s long-range dipping free-kick became one of the goals of the tournament.

The deal marks a shock turnaround for the player who, only days ago, had been close to joining Coupe de France winners Nantes before the club pulled out of the deal after the FCN recruitment team “signalled doubts” about the Comoros international to coach Antoine Kombouaré.

M’Changama will wear the Auxerre number six next season.

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As he’ll tell you, Luis Campos has a very specific skillset. “I’m completely in love with signing players for between €0m to €3m or €3m to €6m,” the Portuguese Sporting Director explained in 2020. “Players who, with the team that I have, will be worth much more in the future.”

That eye has made Campos football’s best pound-for-pound sporting director. However, unlike those in the game’s other roles, the best directors of football – especially of Campos ilk, are unlikely to be, by their very nature, suited to the sport’s elite. Having been appointed PSG’s new ‘Football Adviser’, effectively the club’s new ideological spearhead – laborious players sales will fall to others, Campos is out of place.

Other than frees, Paris rarely sign players for less than €6m. Juan Bernat’s 2018 arrival from Bayern Munich, hardly a Campos-type move, is the only meaningful example since summer 2012, the start of the QSI reign. Given the number of big money disappointments in that time, such as Mauro Icardi, Thilo Kehrer, Gonçalo Guedes and Grzegorz Krychowiak, perhaps PSG could have been more prudent in hindsight. Nevertheless, their designs on European domination mean Paris aren’t in the business of quietly developing the type of niche talents Campos specialises in unearthing.

Even if they were, many of Campos’ best left-field signings, even at their eventual peaks, wouldn’t threaten the current PSG starting eleven with Benardo Silva (who still cost €15m), Fabinho and maybe Victor Osimhen being notable exceptions. However, three major hits from dozens of signings across seven years (Campos’ combined stay with Monaco and Lille) wouldn’t be sustainable for PSG, who don’t have the opportunity to play trial and error with a stream of such players, most of whom wouldn’t work out or would plateau below the required level.

Had Fabinho, for example, signed for PSG rather than Monaco in 2013, a right-back at the time, his development would have been very different – the player Liverpool fans enjoy today probably wouldn’t exist, whether Campos had been in charge or not.

Lille’s Zeki Çelik is the archetypal Campos signing. Signed from unfashionable Turkish club Istanbulspor for €3m in 2018 as a 21-year-old, Çelik is now a Turkish international, a Ligue 1 champion and close to joining Roma for three times that price. However, at no point, despite his signing’s undoubted success, has the 25-year-old played consistently at such a level to be considered as a reliable first-choice for PSG in major Champions League games. Although fellow full-back Achraf Hakimi has underwhelmed overall since a €60m arrival last summer, his performances for Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in bigger games make him the right choice for PSG when comparing the two, despite the price gap.

In short, Campos’ ideology doesn’t fit PSG. However, an overhaul is undoubtedly needed in Paris and the club’s prolific academy, producing Christopher Nkunku and Moussa Diaby in recent seasons, needs a greater role. A new ‘elite group’ allowing leading youngsters to train with the senior staff is a good start, but Campos’ scope to engender change at the club, rightly or wrongly, has a limit with QSI’s aims to make PSG Europe’s leading elite clubs. That idea includes big-name players and attacking, flowing football without delay.

Campos’ common sense as a sporting director is already reigning in PSG’s largesse to the betterment of the club, however. Ending talks to sign Ousmane Dembélé from Barcelona due to the player’s injury record and alleged poor attitude represented the kind of pragmatism PSG have often lacked. Nevertheless, there seem to be two competing schools of thought forming, underlined by the club’s search for a new coach with current manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly told he will be sacked.

Despite repeatedly refusing Paris, Zinedine Zidane has long been QSI’s prime target and, although reports conflict, the club are continuing to pursue Zidane. Campos, meanwhile, has been discussing the role with OGC Nice coach Christophe Galtier, a former Lille colleague before LOSC’s Ligue 1 title win last season under Galtier. While there’s little doubting Galtier’s coaching nous, QSI’s concerns over paying €15m to sack Pochettino for a coach who lacks European experience and often leans towards footballing stoicism, which hasn’t produced the required results at Nice and Saint-Etienne, seem justified. The respect Zidane would generate, his understated but effective tactical ideas and proven ability to win big games is much more suited to PSG than Galtier’s skillset. It’s difficult to imagine the two ideologies truly coalescing while keeping all parties happy.

Oddly, although typical of PSG under QSI, Campos’ appointment is a product of Paris’ celebrity-driven, star-pandering ethos. The idea was first mentioned in talks over Kylian Mbappé’s future earlier this season. Mbappé – who reportedly endured a frosty relationship with previous director of football, Leonardo – and Campos are friends from their Monaco days and, enjoying an inflated status within the club upon signing his surprise new deal, Mbappé’s recommendation was seemingly acted upon.

In truth, the role of the sporting director, especially for Campos, who’s essentially the game’s best scout, isn’t the same at every club. PSG aren’t bargain hunting in the traditional sense like Lille. Instead, they need a ruthless negotiator, a common-sense approach to major transfers and a managerial figurehead – more of a general manager than a director of football. Campos, who can be forceful with his opinions, is capable of running that type of operation but hasn’t been appointed to do so. Campos may be “in love” with the realities of the sporting director position at clubs like Monaco and Lille, signing €3m players and selling them for €40m, but he could soon find that he’s not so keen on PSG’s, very different, reality.

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Regional paper La Voix du Nord report tonight that Chelsea and Atlético Madrid are among the potential suitors for Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss, who is not planning on extending his contract with the Ligue 1 side.

With his contract expiring at the end of next season and no renewal offer on the table as of yet, both the La Liga and Premier League side are said to be highly interested in signing the French international, who made his debut for Les Bleus back in March.

Lens’ asking price is reportedly at €10m. Clauss would be leaving two years after his arrival from Arminia Bielefeld, and has been one of the Sang et Or’s most impressive performers in their two seasons back in Ligue 1 so far.

This year, he scored five times and assisted 11 goals as Franck Haise’s men once again narrowly missed out on Europe. He was the right-back in Ligue 1’s team of the season for the second year running.

For Clauss, a move to Chelsea would tick all of the right boxes, given that the Blues play in the same system, in a similar wing-back position in which he would rotate with Reece James. He will also be keeping in mind that his club performances will be decisive in deciding his place in the France squad at the World Cup.

A move for €7m to €8m along with bonuses for the 30-year-old would nevertheless be hard to turn down for the Artois side, who have already looked into signing young PSG defender Thierno Baldé.

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