Dobson backs rookie midfielder Roche: ‘He has no respect for his body’

ROOKIE centre Jonathan Roche will have another opportunity to stamp his authority in the Stormers’ midfield when they face French powerhouse La Rochelle tomorrow afternoon.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

The 22-year-old impressed off the bench against Bayonne last weekend and has been selected as Ruhan Nel’s midfield partner for a crucial home Champions Cup clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm kickoff).

Roche recently returned from injury and had to bide his time until the Bayonne match for a run, but he took his chance and has now cracked a starting berth. Plenty will be expected from the midfield combination, and while flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach will direct the attack, Roche and Nel will be key to executing it.

However, it is on defence where their partnership will face its sternest test.