Full back: CONRAD STOLTZ.

Age: 25. Ht: 1.93m. Wt: 110kg. Appearances: Three.

Preferred to Gomes for today's match, the Pretoria-born full back can also play centre. Has scored three tries in two European games so far, so a dangerous presence.

Wing: CHRISTOPHE DOMINICI.

Age: 27. Ht: 1.72m. Wt: 95kg. Appearances: Six.

Injured in the French Cup semi-final against Brive and was doubtful for today's game. A French international and a key player with five tries so far. Will be sorely missed if his thigh injury does not hold.

Centre: FRANCK COMBA.

Age: 29. Ht: 1.71kg. Wt: 80kg. Appearances: Six.

Regular in the Stade side, a French international and another key player. Has scored one try thus far in the campaign and at 29 will pose a threat along with Mytton.

Centre: CLIFF MYTTON.

Age: 31. Ht: 1.83m. Wt: 95kg. Appearances: Four.

Born in Auckland his pairing with Comba will give the centre huge experience. Knee injury kept him out last season and he's on the way back. On form one of the best centres in France.

Wing: BRIAN LIMA.

Age: 28. Ht: 1.77m. Wt: 97kg. Appearances: One.

Was the centre of Leinster's dispute in their last match. The Samoan international, it was contested, was not legally registered with Stade. Leinster lost the case.

Outhalf: DIEGO DOMINGUEZ.

Age: 33. Ht: 1.70m. Wt: 76kg. Appearances: Six.

The Italian and Stade captain is the best outhalf of his generation. Superb kicking, wonderful hands and most importantly an excellent decision maker. He can swing a game.

Scrumhalf: CHRISTOPHE LAUSSUCQ.

Age: 26. Ht: 1.73m. Wt: 78kg. Appearances: Six.

One of the few international players on the side who has played and scored against Ireland. But he hasn't scored in the Cup so far. An interesting comparison to be made with Stringer.

Prop: SYLVAIN MARCONNET.

Age: 24. Ht: 1.83m. Wt: 115kg. Appearances: Six.

Capped eight times for France, debuting in 1998. One of his caps was against Ireland so he knows what to expect in the front row. Has played in all six games so far.

Hooker: FABRICE LANDREAU.

Age: 31. Ht: 1.78m. Wt: 100kg. Appearances: Six.

Not unlike Keith Wood knows where the line is with two tries so far. As a result he's joint fourth highest points scorer for Stade in this competition behind Dominguez, Dominici and Lombard.

Prop: PIETER DE VILLIERS.

Age: 27. Ht: 1.84m. Wt: 106kg. Appearances: Six.

Earned nine caps and another experienced front row. Again has played against Ireland and has turned out in all of Stade's matches. Faster than many backs.

Second Row: DAVID AURADOU.

Age: 26. Ht: 2.00m. Wt: 107kg. Appearances: Six.

With seven caps for France, debuting last year he'll need his experience to make anything gel with Whitley. Another big player and mobile.

Second Row: KEVIN WHITLEY.

Age: 30. Ht: 2.00m. Wt: 115kg. Appearances: Two.

The English player with Canadian connections played once for Canada against Scotland five years ago. Came from Coventry. Big player to tackle but not first choice second row.

Flanker: DARREN GEORGE

Age: 31. Ht: 2.00m. Wt: 110 kg. Appearances: Six.

Normally plays his rugby in the second row. Because of injuries to Juillet and Moni coach Coste has had to juggle around. A mobile enough player to make the adjustment.

Number eight: RICHARD POOL JONES.

Age: 29. Ht: 1.89m. Wt: 104kg. Appearances: Five.

Has appeared for England once against Australia in their disastrous tour in June 1998. Versatile enough to play anywhere in the back row and usually a flanker.

Flanker: MARC LIEVREMONT.

Age: 31. Ht: 1.82m. Wt: 90kg. Appearances: Five.

An experienced French international with 25 caps is one of Stade's big players. Has scored five Test tries. His fifth match in the competition, he has yet to score.