Head coach Justin Burnell shuffles his pack for London Welsh’s European Challenge Cup Pool 4 opener away to Lyon today (1pm BST).

The Exiles make 12 changes for the trip to the Matmut Stadium with Matt Corker, Richard Thorpe and Nic Reynolds the only survivors from the side which lost 23-3 to Newcastle Falcons.

Club captain Corker takes over the armband for today’s game.

The Exiles, looking for their first win of the season, face a Lyon side – last season’s Pro D2 champions in France – which currently sit ninth in the Top 14.

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“It gives us a great opportunity to have a look at other members of our squad who are chomping at the bit to get some game time and show what they can do,” said Welsh head coach Justin Burnell.

“It’s been a good week. There’s been a lot of hands to the pump and there’s been some good work done in the build-up to the game “We’ve a lot of new faces coming in to the starting XV and it’s taken a completely different slant to what’s taken place over the previous six weeks.

“ These boys have come in and they certainly see it as a chance to lay down a marker on Saturday and over the next couple of weeks.

“But it certainly doesn’t get any easier when you look at where Lyon are sitting in the Top 14 – they’ve had some decent results.”

On the bench, assistant coach Gordon Ross is poised to make his first appearance of the season.

Former South African fly half Ricky Januarie has been picked for the Lyon side, which also includes French centre Fabrice Estebanez.

Winger Thibaut Regard hopes Lyon can continue the winning habit.

“This is a new tournament, but it gives us the chance to go on a bit of a run and build our confidence after our last win.”

Today's teams

Lyon: Porical, Romanet, Bonnefond, Estebanez (capt) Regard, Brett, Januarie, Mavinga,  Mapusua, Roux, Cerqueira, Njewel, Nzi, Derrien, Matadigo. Reps: Bonrepaux, Balan, Felsina, Tuineau, Lambey, Loree, Sukanaveita, Loursac.
London Welsh: Elder, Awcock, Reynolds, J Lewis, Crane, Roberts, R Lewis, Cahill, Dobson, Gilding, McNally, Corker (capt), West, Thorpe, Pienaar. Reps: Vella,  Reeves, Cooper, Schofield, Browne, Rowley, Ross, Stegmann.

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