Gloucester vs Bordeaux: Ben Tameifuna picked at lock for Champions Cup opener

Bordeaux Bègles have moved tighthead prop Ben Tameifuna into the second row for their first Champions Cup match of the season, away to Gloucester at Kingsholm on Friday 16 October.

It is a new role for the 35-year-old Tongan, who has played his entire career in the front row. At lock he partners Cameron Woki, the France international.

The stakes are high for the French club. Bordeaux have won the Champions Cup in each of the last two seasons, and a third title in a row would equal the record. Their defence of the trophy begins with the Kingsholm fixture.

They start without fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who is injured. Captain Maxime Lucu moves from scrum-half to No 10 to cover for him, and Martin Page-Relo comes in at scrum-half.

The rest of the Bordeaux side

With Tameifuna in the second row, the front row is Jefferson Poirot, Maxime Lamothe and Sipili Falatea. Marko Gazzotti is back in the team and joins Temo Matiu in the back row, with Tom Willis at No 8.

In the backs, Salesi Rayasi plays fullback and Pablo Uberti and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are on the wings. Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana make up the midfield.