Schickerling plays down ‘Bomb Squad’ parallels

THE Stormers will step into unfamiliar territory on Friday when they open their EPCR Champions Cup campaign against Bayonne in France, and lock JD Schickerling says the squad is embracing both the challenge and the quick turnaround required to meet it.

- JOHN GOLIATH

After a bruising arm-wrestle against Munster in Limerick last Saturday — when the Stormers beat the home side to keep their unbeaten record in the United Rugby Championship — the squad has had only a handful of days to reset before facing their French opponents.

But Schickerling insists the team is unfazed by the schedule and fully focused on transferring their URC momentum into Europe’ elite competition.

The Munster clash was, in many ways, the ideal preparation for what lies ahead at the Stade Jean-Dauger.

Physicality, intensity and discipline are nonnegotiable against the French outfit in the Champions Cup, and the Stormers were made to summon all three in overcoming the Irish giants.

Schickerling admits the bodies are still feeling the effects.