John Dobson will pick the strongest possible squad to battle three-time silver medalists Clermont on Saturday in the DHL Stormers’ Champions Cup debut. DYLAN JACK reports.

The European tournaments get underway this week and, for the first time, South African teams will be involved in both the Champions and Challenge Cup having qualified through the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

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The Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Sharks are all in the Champions Cup, while the Lions and Parma-based Cheetahs will take part in the Challenge Cup.

Speaking after the Stormers claimed a bonus-point win over Dragons in the URC, Dobson said his side will go full strength on Saturday, with Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Damian Willemse among the Springboks to return.

“It’s going to be another world for us,” said Dobson. “We leave on Monday. We will chat with Steven, Frans and Damian, but we have done a very good thing in creating a big squad and using as many players as we can over this period.

“Now is the time we will start playing what we think is our best team, week in and week out.”

Against Clermont, the Stormers face a side that finished as runners up three times in 2013, 2015 and 2017, while also finishing as French champions in 2017.

A mixed start to the season – five wins from 12 games – sees Clermont currently in 10th place on the Top 14 log, but they do count French stars Damian Penaud and Alivereti Raka among their top players.

“We’ve had a good look at Clermont,” said Dobson. “We’ve seen opportunities to play more like we’ve played in the first halves over the past two weeks. That rugby could be effective against them.

“We will try and be a bit more like ourselves, like we should be. That’s our plan.”

Clermont are based at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, a 19 000-seater stadium that can almost feel triple that number due to the noise from the partisan home crowd, who form a wall of yellow in the kit of the hosts.

“I have never been there. [Scarlets coach] Dwayne Peel told me last week that it is one of the most incredible rugby experiences he has ever had,” said Dobson. “We are actually pleased we are going away to such a famous place.

“It’s a statement game for us to show that the Stormers should be at the top table of club or franchise rugby. It’s a really big game for us to show that we are up there as URC champions. We are very excited.”

Photo: Twitter: @THESTORMERS