Racing 92 v Munster - Combined Southern Hemisphere (Born) XV

Johan van Graan is hoping to lead Munster to their first Champions Cup final since 2008, the Irish province face Parisian heavyweights Racing 92 on French soil in Bordeaux.

The clubs have met six times previously with Munster winning four and losing twice, the teams met twice in the pool stage this season with the home side on the day winning each encounter.

Both sides employ a strong southern hemisphere-born contingent among their playing staff. All Blacks, Springboks and other nationalities taking advantage of residency rules to forge a career in international rugby.

Racing 92 have a squad littered with All Blacks including Dan Carter, Anthony Tuitavake and Joe Rokocoko regularly featuring in matchday squads, while Munster lay host to a considerable South African-born bunch involving Jean Kleyn, Gerbrandt Grobler, CJ Stander, Jaco Taute and Chris Cloete.

Ultimate Rugby have put together a starting XV involving the southern hemisphere-born players available for selection to the Racing 92 & Munster selection panels.

1. Census Johnston - Coming into the twilight stages of his career, Johnston has enjoyed lengthy stints in England & France, while lining out for Samoa on over 50 occcasions.

2. Rhys Marshall - Born in Tikorangi (NZ), a Super Rugby winner with Chiefs, Marshall recently signed a contract extension with the province & becomes eligible to play for Ireland in the not too distant future.

3. Ben Tameifuna - Invited to train for the All Blacks in May 2012, played more than 60 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs before joining Racing in 2015. A Tongan international & a bulldozer on the pitch.

4. Jean Kleyn - A self-confessed late bloomer, Baby Bok at U20 level, the former Stormers lock moved to Munster in 2016 & qualifies for Ireland under residency rules in September 2019.

5. Leone Nakarawa - A 7s Gold Medallist at the 2016 Olympics, Leone made 66 appearances with Glasgow Warriors before joining Racing. Possesses the most potent offloading game in the sport. Set to win 50th Fiji cap this year.

6. Bernard Le Roux - Grew up on a farm in Moorreesburg, north of Cape Town. Joined Racing in 2010 as injury cover on a two-month contract and hasn't looked back since, spending almost nine years in the French capital.

7. Chris Cloete - The former Southern Kings and Pumas flanker joined Munster in 2017, a South Africa 'A' international, Cloete spent time playing in Sri Lanka and also lined out for Western Province in the Currie and Vodacom Cups.

8. CJ Stander - Former SA U20 star swapped Blue Bull's for Munster for Munster in 2012 after the Springboks told him he was too small to be a Test-match flanker. The rest, they say, is history. 

9. Tyler Bleyendaal - Despite the Dutch surname, Tyler was born & raised in Christchurch, representing Canterbury & Crusaders before joining Munster in Nov, 2014. Captained NZ U20 to victory in 2010 JWC in Argentina.

10. Dan Carter - Where do we start, two-time Rugby World Cup winner, highest Super Rugby & Test-match points scorer. Exceptional 14-year career, 112 Test caps, 1,598 Test points, 3 Super Rugby titles & Top 14 medal.

11. Joe Rokocoko - 46 tries in 68 games for the All Blacks before embarking a career in France with Narbonne before signing with Racing in 2015 & winning the Bouclier de Brennus in his maiden year in Paris.

12. Patrick Lambie - 56 caps for the Boks, Lambie signed a four-year-deal with Racing in 2017. The former Sharks fly-half is hoping to put his injury problems behind him & has impressed during his time with the club.

13. Anthony Tuitavake - Six-cap All Black centre/wing with many years of experience in Super Rugby with Blues & Highlanders. Moved north in 2013 to join Montpellier after a spell in Japan before settling in Paris.

14. Virimi Vakatawa - Fijian-born cross-coder was recruited by Sereli Bobo to move to Paris in 2010. Vakatawa has scored six tries in 17 games for Les Bleus.

15. Juan Imhoff - Los Pumas veteran has enjoyed stints in the 15's & 7's format. Standout performer at RWC 2015, Imhoff won a Top 14 title in 2016 and has been at the club for seven seasons.