Opportunity Knocks For Youthful Sharks In Challenge Cup Clash In Lyon

The Sharks status as champions of the Challenge Cup could very well end in frosty Lyon on tonight, but the decision to send the youth brigade to France provides a wealth of opportunity for up-and-comers.

Fourteen first-choice players will be on their couches in Durban watching the last-16 encounter, a few of them nervously, as they see youngsters fighting to make a name for themselves.

There is no doubt that coach John Plumtrees pep talk for this team will be all about that word opportunity.

He will be telling them to play the game of their lives and put pressure on the incumbents back in Durbs.

Plumtrees decision to hold back his heavy artillery is about making a full guns blazing assault on the United Rugby Championship but he also wants to examine his depth ahead of the four remaining URC matches.