Heineken Cup Round Four previews
Compiled by JOHN O'SULLIVAN
TODAY
Pool Two
Ospreys v Toulouse
Liberty Stadium (1.35, Sky Sports)
Former Leinster schools fullback Ross Jones starts on the right wing for the Ospreys, who welcome back Ryan Bevington and Richard Hibbard to the front row and Adam Jones after injury to the bench. Jean Marc Doussain fills in for the injured Luke McAlister at outhalf in a much changed Toulouse team. Ospreys should go a lot closer but maybe not enough to win.
OSPREYS: R Fussell; R Jones, A Bishop, A Beck, E Walker; D Biggar, K Fotuali’i (capt); R Bevington, R Hibbard, C Johnstone; I Gough, J King; R Jones, J Tipuric, J Bearman.
TOULOUSE: M Medard; V Clerc, Y David, G Fickou, Y Huget; J Marc Doussain, L Burgess; V Kakovin, G Botha, C Johnston; Y Maestri, P Albacete; J Bouilhou (capt), T Dusautoir, L Picamoles.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).
Verdict: Toulouse.
Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers
Stadio Comunale di Monigo (1.35).
Irish underage international Niall Morris is recalled on the right wing, one of six changes in a Leicester side who allowed the Italians to push them close in the second half at Welford Road. The English club have struggled here in the past . The home side have a strong team and bench and this could produce a surprise.
BENETTON TREVISO: L McLean; L Nitoglia, C Loamanu, A Sgarbi, T Iannone; A Di Bernardo, E Gori; M Rizzo, L Ghiraldini (capt), L Cittadini; F Minto, C Van Zyl; A Zanni, D Budd, M Vosawai.
LEICESTER TIGERS: M Tait; N Morris, M Tuilagi, A Allen, A Thompstone; G Ford, B Youngs; M Ayerza, T Youngs, D Cole; L Deacon (capt), G Parling; B Deacon, J Salvi, T Waldrom.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).
Verdict: Leicester Tigers .
Pool Three
Harlequins v Zebre,
The Stoop (3pm)
The only imponderable here is the final margin of victory for the home side . Last week in the reverse fixture the English champions scored at will and Conor O’Shea’s side are likely to find it even easier this weekend. Zebre have left internationals like Salvatore Perugini, Matteo Pratichetti and Gonzalo Garcia on the bench.
HARLEQUINS: M Brown; U Monye, M Hopper, T Casson, S Smith; N Evans, D Care; M Lambert, J Gray, W Collier; C Matthews, G Robson; T Guest, C Robshaw (capt), N Easter.
ZEBRE: R Trevisan; G Venditti, S Pace, D Halangahu, L Sarto; L Orquera, A Chillon; A De Marchi, D Giazzon, L Redolfini; M van Vuuren, J Sole; N Cattina (capt), F Ferrarini, D van Schalkwyk.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France).
Verdict: Harlequins.
Pool Five
Exeter Chiefs v Scarlets
Sandy Park (3.40)
Exeter coach Rob Baxter makes six changes to the side that won in Wales last week, one of which sees former Ulster centre Ian Whitten recalled. Simon Easterby’s Scarlets have lost all three matches but do have a fit again George North back on the wing. Despite their abject form and if the Welsh side can dredge up some belief and possession, the outcome of match isn’t a foregone conclusion.
