Parra and Lopez to lead Clermont's attack on Toulouse

Parra and Lopez to lead Clermont's attack on Toulouse

BORDEAUX - France internationals Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez will be Clermont's half-back pairing for the Top 14 semi-final play-off against Toulouse on Saturday.

Clermont's scrum-half Morgan Parra readies for a scrum to engage during the French Top 14 rugby union match against Castres on April 25, 2015

Parra and Lopez are preferred to Ludovic Radosavljevic and Australian Brock James, both relegated to the bench along with hooker Benjamin Kayser, John Ulugia starting with the number 2 shirt.

Prop Vincent Debaty does not feature in the match-day 23, with Thomas Domingo coming straight into loosehead prop and Clement Ric providing cover.

Lyon-bound Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga is also absent, meaning Aurelien Rougerie and Noa Nakataici start out wide.

Coach Franck Azema preferred Paul Jedrasiak over Julien Pierre to step into the boots of Canadian Jamie Cudmore, the lock ruled out after a second concussion in a month.

With Wales centre Jonathan Davies out injured, Wesley Fofana lines up with Benson Stanley in the centres.

Toulouse also have a stacked bench, lock Yoann Maestri, No.8 Louis Picamoles and former England fly-half Toby Flood all named among the replacements for a game in which the winner will face either Toulon or Stade Francais in next weekend's final.

Samoan Joe Tekori was preferred to the 36-times capped France international Maestri while Gilian Galan pushes Picamoles out.

Jean-Marc Doussain teams up with Sebastien Bezy at the expense of Flood, whose 15 points secured Toulouse's passage past Oyonnax in the quarter-final play-off, but who also picked up a leg injury that left him limping at the start of the week.

Two other changes made by future France coach Guy Noves saw Yann David take over from Florian Fritz in the centre while prop Census Johnston makes his comeback from suspension.

Teams (15-1)

Toulouse

Maxime Medard: Vincent Clerc, Yann David, Luke McAlister, Yoann Huget; Jean-Marc Doussain, Sebastien Bezy; Yannick Nyanga, Gilian Galan, Thierry Dusautoir (capt); Patricio Albacete, Joe Tekori; Census Johnston, Corey Flynn, Gurthro Steenkamp

Replacements: Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Yoann Maestri, Louis Picamoles, Toby Flood, Floran Fritz, Timoci Matanavou, Dorian Aldegheri

Clermont

Nick Abendanon; Aurelien Rougerie, Benson Stanley, Wesley Fofana, Noa Nakaitaci; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Julien Bardy, Fritz Lee, Damien Chouly (capt); Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Jedrasiak; Davit Zirakashvili, John Ulugia, Thomas Domingo

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Chaume, Julien Pierre, Alexandre Lapandry, Ludovic Radosavljevic, Brock James, Jean-Marcellin Buttin, Clement Ric

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