Stormers aim to secure Champions Cup play-off spot this weekend

Currently in second place in Pool Four, following their bonus point win against Sale Sharks at DHL Stadium, the Stormers face Stade Francais at the Stade Jean Bouin at 19h30 (SAST) this Saturday.

A travelling squad will leave Cape Town on Tuesday evening, with the matchday 23 set to be confirmed on Friday afternoon.

They will need to finish in the top four of their pool to secure a place in the Round of 16, while a finish in the top two places in their pool will guarantee home advantage in the first knock-out round of the competition.

Any win against Stade Francais will secure a place in the Round of 16, while home advantage may be determined by results in other matches as Leinster travel to face Leicester Tigers and defending champions Stade Rochelais take on Sale Sharks away from home.

At the end of the pool stages this weekend, the top 16 teams will be ranked from one to 16, which will then determine the fixtures in the knock-out phase of the competition.

The Champions Cup is an elite competition that sees the top eight sides from the United Rugby Championship, English Premiership and French Top 14 battle it out for top honours.

Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that his team have given themselves a great opportunity this weekend, with their play-off prospects firmly in their own hands.

"We have had two incredible Investec Champions Cup home games, with our supporters really getting behind us in the wins against Stade Rochelais and Sale," he said.

"We also pushed Leicester all the way at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Round One, so we are proud of our performances in the competition thus far.

"However, we need to back that up this weekend in Paris. We have a fantastic opportunity to secure a place in the knock-out phase and take some good momentum with us.

"We travel to Paris knowing that it is all in our hands, which is a great space to be in and hopefully we can rise to what should be another great occasion on Saturday."

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