European Cup Previews

Previews of the European Cup

Today

POOL ONE:Benetton Treviso v Dragons, Stadio Communale di Monigo (1.30pm) - The Welsh region have lost both of their opening games, the more disappointing the thumping by London Irish at Rodney Parade last time out.

Treviso pushed Perpignan close three weeks ago and coach Franco Smith has opted for a couple of changes, promoting Alberto Sgarbi for the injured Benjamin de Jager. Up front, there is a return to the starting line-up for international flanker Robert Barbieri, who knocks his brother Michael down to the bench. The Italians could sneak a win.

POOL FIVE: Clermont Auvergne v London Wasps, Stade Marcel Michelin (1.35pm) - Clermont Auvergne have made a couple of changes to their starting line-up from the side that beat Bourgoin in the French championship. Fijian wing Vilimoni Delasau makes way for Julien Malzieu, while Martin Scelzo comes in for Georgian star Davit Zirakashvili at tighthead prop. There is no place for World Cup-winning captain John Smit in the match 22.

Raphaël Ibañez returns to the Wasps pack, while Tom Rees is named on the bench. Home advantage could be enough.

POOL THREE: Harlequins v Bristol Rugby, The Twickenham Stoop (3pm) - Harlequins have made six changes to the team that lost against Ospreys last weekend, one of which sees their Irish wing Simon Keogh stepping down to be replaced by Tom Williams. Springbok signing Gary Botha makes his first start and he will be alongside Ceri Jones and the Cork-born prop Mike Ross in the front row. The London club simply must win after drawing at home against Cardiff last time out, while Bristol - including the Irishmen Dave Blaney and Brian O'Riordan on the bench - are coming off a superb home win over Stade Français last time out in the competition.

POOL FOUR:Saracens v Viadana, Vicarage Road (3pm) - Saracens include South African Brent Russell and former All Black Chris Jack as coach Alan Gaffney recalls Glen Jackson, Andy Farrell, Richard Hill, Hugh Vyvyan and captain Neil de Kock to his starting XV.

Viadana have never won away in the European Cup and it would be a major shock if Jim Love's men did so today.

POOL SIX:Leicester Tigers v Toulouse, Welford Road (3.30pm) - There is no place for Geordan Murphy or Ben Kay in the Tigers team but coach Marcelo Loffreda gives a debut to All Black centre Aaron Mauger. Frank Murphy starts at scrumhalf with Johnny Murphy on the bench.

Toulouse have opted to start Byron Kelleher at scrumhalf, with Jean Baptiste Elissalde among the replacements, coach Guy Noves making nine changes from their French championship victory over Albi. A seminal pool game and one that Leicester simply have to win against a French side slap back in form. The game of the weekend.

Tomorrow

POOL FOUR: Glasgow Warriors v Biarritz Olympique, Firhill (1pm) - Daryl Gibson, Hefin O'Hare, Sam Pinder, and Dan Turner have been promoted to a Glasgow team that lost to Connacht in a Celtic League clash. Alastair Kellock, Warriors' captain, damaged an elbow in Galway and Tom Evans is out with a hamstring. Dan Parks captains the team in Kellock's absence. Biarritz have named something of a composite team with no Dimitri Yachvili, while several frontline players start on the bench.

POOL ONE: London Irish v Perpignan, Madejski stadium (3pm) - The French side have left out former Springbok World Cup-winning fullback Percy Montgomery, with Jérôme Porical starting and utility back Cédric Rosalen on the bench. David Marty and Jean-Philippe Grandclaude form an international centre pairing, while fellow French cap Nicolas Durand will partner Gavin Hume at half-back.

London Irish are the only side in the tournament with maximum points from two matches and should record a third triumph.

POOL THREE: Stade Français v Cardiff Blues, Stade Jean-Bouin (3pm) - Cardiff Blues outhalf Nick Robinson returns to action after a month out with injury. In the pack Martyn Williams returns at openside, having missed last week's game with Barbarians commitments. The Blues top the pool on seven points, two ahead of Stade.