Stormers assistant on 'B-team' tactics: 'If it doesn't come off, the spectators won't like you'

Stormers assistant coach Norman Laker says they'll be more conservative in their team selection approach in the European Champions Cup.

The Bulls gambled with a largely second string outfit in their Champions Cup opener against Lyon at Loftus last weekend.

Many pundits dubbed it a Bulls "B team" but director of rugby Jake White's gamble paid off as his charges ran into a 28-0 lead in the first half.

The French side came back strongly though and almost snatched a win at the death when they camped on the Bulls tryline, before going down 42-36.

Laker, whose Stormers outfit lost 24-14 away to French club ASM Clermont Auvergne, said playing a so-called "B team" will always be a gamble.

The Stormers defence guru was probed on the matter in a press conference on Tuesday. He was cautious to reveal how the Stormers would juggle the workload over two competitions (URC and Champions Cup).

"We haven't thought that far ahead, to be honest. If it works for you then it works for you, if it doesn't come off, then the spectators won't like you that much," Laker said.

Laker used Irish giants Leinster as an example of a team that remained competitive throughout both competitions last season.

"I know the URC and Champions Cup are two different competitions. But I think Leinster is a perfect example from last year... getting into a semi-final of the URC and making the Champions Cup final.

"I'm not saying we're Leinster, I'm just saying it can happen. I do think we've rotated our squad quite well over the first nine games [of the season]. I think we're the only team that actually haven't picked the same XV for the past nine games. We did give guys opportunities.

"In our case we would rather build depth in that way... [by] giving guys opportunities with