European Cup previews

Previews of this weekend's matches

Saturday

Pool One

London Irish v Dragons, Madejski Stadium, 2.30, (live on Sky Sports Interactive)

London Irish's irresistible march to the knockout stages should continue this afternoon. The Exiles hammered the Newport Gwent Dragons 45-17 in the reverse fixture at Rodney Parade and would be expected to do the same again.

The Dragons suffered a last-minute home defeat to Benetton Treviso last time out but even pride won't rescue this one.

Pool Four

Viadana v Glasgow Warriors, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, 2.30

It's 26 unsuccessful away trips and counting for Glasgow in the tournament, a streak they should manage to end today.

The Warriors' only success on their travels came against Ulster, 18-12, in 1997. The Scottish side are in contention for a place in the quarter-final and should be capable of winning with a bonus point against an Italian side yet to record a victory in the competition.

Pool Six

Edinburgh Rugby v Leicester Tigers, Murrayfield, 3.30

The English side include Geordan Murphy at fullback while his namesake Johnny is on the right wing. Frank Murphy starts on the bench along with Ian Humphreys. After three straight losses in the tournament, Edinburgh hammered Leinster at home last time out and should provide a much tougher challenge for Leicester, who won their first meeting very easily.

Pool Four

Saracens v Biarritz Olympique, Vicarage Road, 3.30 (live on Sky Sports 2)

Saracens know a win would put them into the quarter-finals for the first time. Alan Gaffney's side have gone six matches unbeaten at home in the competition and will be looking to avenge a 22-21 defeat in the reverse fixture.

Biarritz have been largely dire this season and losing in Glasgow last time out means they have to win today.

Pool Two

Ospreys v Gloucester Rugby, Liberty Stadium, 5.30 (live on Sky Sports 2)

One of the matches of the weekend. Lyn Jones's Ospreys beat Ulster home and away in rounds three and four but face a much more demanding task today. Gloucester lead the English Premiership and are the only side unbeaten in the European Cup. They won 26-18 at Kingsholm in November but this should be much closer.

Pool One

Perpignan v Benetton Treviso, Stade Aime Giral, 5.30

The Italian side won their first game for many a season last time out against the Dragons but are unlikely to repeat the feat. Perpignan are such a tough side to beat at home and they should have too much for Benetton today. A bonus-point victory in all probability.

Sunday

Pool Five

London Wasps v Llanelli Scarlets, Adams Park, 1.0 (live on Sky Sports 2)

Given the team that Llanelli have fielded for this game - no Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Alix Popham or Morgan Stoddart, to name but a few of the notable absentees - it would be a major surprise if Wasps had not wrapped up the bonus point by the interval.

Eoin Reddan is at scrumhalf for the home side, who should rack up a five-point victory.