La Rochelle kick off and its a deep one

Moment of silence over and both sides are ready for what awaits

Hello and welcome, this is Usiphile Mpetsheni reporting from Stade Marcel-Deflandre. We are now 45 minutes away from kick-off.

2018 Champions Cup quarter-finalists La Rochelle will look to keep their excellent home record in the Challenge Cup intact on tonight when they host Bristol Bears at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

This will be just the sixth meeting between La Rochelle and Bristol Bears, and the TOP 14 side have lost just one of the previous five, winning both home games.

Bristol are looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in this competition, and only once before have they lost three or more games in a row.