Heineken Cup Previews

Compiled by JOHN O'SULLIVAN

SATURDAY

POOL FIVE

Benetton Treviso v Perpignan, Stadio Communale di Monigo (1.30)

A Perpignan victory complete with bonus point would be the ideal scenario for the visitors and would allow them take a giant step towards securing a quarter-final place. The French side lost on their last visit to Treviso, but given that their need is greater they shouldn’t be sucker- punched twice.

The home team make a raft of changes from the side hammered by Ulster in the Magners League at Ravenhill. Perpignan should prevail, but maybe without the bonus.

BENETTON TREVISO: B Williams; L Nitoglia, E Galon, G Garcia, B de Jager; W de Waal, T Botes; I Fernandez Rouyet, L Ghiraldini, P di Santo, A Pavanello (capt), V Bernabò, M Filippucci, B Vermaak, P Derbyshire. Replacements: F Sbaraglini, M Rizzo, L Cittadini, E Pavanello, C van Zyl, M Vosawai, F Semenzato, A Sgarbi.

PERPIGNAN: J Porical; F Sid, D Marty, M Mermoz, J Candelon; N Laharrague, D Mele; P Freshwater, M Tincu, N Mas (capt), O Olibeau, G Vilaceca, G Le Corvec, J Perez, H Tuilagi. Replacements: G Guirado, K Pulu, B Bourrust, R Alvarez Kairelis, D Chouly, J Grandclaude, F Cazenave, J Michel.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).

Scarlets v Leicester Tigers, Parc y Scarlets (5.45, live on Sky Sports 1)

If the Scarlets’ scrum can survive then they possess the cutting edge to cause the Tigers all sorts of problems. The absence of Ireland’s Geordan Murphy, particularly his creative flair, will hurt. They’ll probably opt for a more structured, set-piece game, using the power of big ball-carriers like the Tuilagi brothers.

The Scarlets will want a more open contest and if they can secure that quick ruck ball could snatch this one.

SCARLETS: R Priestland; M Stoddart, R King, J Davies, S Lamont; S Jones, T Knoyle; I Thomas, M Rees (capt), S Gardner, L Reed, V Cooper, R McCusker, J Turnbull, D Lyons. Replacements: E Phillips, R Jones, P John, J Fa’amatuainu, B Morgan, R Pugh, M Roberts, G Maule.

LEICESTER TIGERS: S Hamilton; M Smith, M Tuilagi, A Allen, A Tuilagi; T Flood, B Youngs; M Ayerza, G Chuter, M Castrogiovanni, L Deacon (capt), G Skivington, T Waldrom, C Newby, J Crane. Replacements: R Hawkins, B Stankovich, D Cole, E Slater, S Mafi, J Grindal, J Staunton, H Agulla.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).

POOL SIX

SATURDAY

Toulouse v Newport Gwent Dragons, Stade Earnest Wallon (1.30 Irish)

Only two teams, Munster (13) and the Leicester Tigers (11) have managed to hit double figures in terms of consecutive victories in the Heineken Cup, but Toulouse are expected to become the third (10). Anything other than a resounding home victory, complete with bonus point, would be a major shock.

Toulouse’s romp to the quarter-finals to continue.

TOULOUSE: M Medard; V Clerc, Y Jauzion, C Poitrenaud, C Heymans; D Skrela, N Vergallo; J Poux, V Lacombe, C Johnston, G Lamboley, P Albacete, J Bouilhou, T Dusautoir (capt), L Picamoles. Replacements: W Servat, D Human, Y Montes, Y Maestri, J Doussain, F Fritz, S Nicolas, V Delasau.

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS: W Harries; N Brew, A Hughes, A Smith, A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; P Price, T Willis (capt), B Castle, L Charteris, S Morgan, D Lydiate, G Thomas, T Faletau. Replacements: S Jones, G Robinson, P Palmer, R Sidoli, L Evans, J Leadbeater, P Leach, M Jones.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland).

SUNDAY

Glasgow Warriors v London Wasps, Firhill (1.0)

It’s got all the hallmarks of a tricky fixture, but if Wasps have genuine ambitions then these are the matches they simply have to win. If they want to play host to Toulouse next weekend in a winner-takes-pool honours clash, then nothing less than a victory here will suffice.

Glasgow are difficult to beat but they’ve got nothing to play for and are missing several front-line players.

GLASGOW WARRIORS: B Stortoni; C Shaw, F Aramburu, P Murchie, H OHare; R Jackson, C Gregor; R Grant, D Hall, M Low, R Gray, A Kellock (capt), R Harley, R Vernon, R Wilson. Replacements: P MacArthur, K Tkachuk, J Welsh, A Muldowney, C Fusaro, H Pyrgos, P Horne, D McCall.

London Wasps: M van Gisbergen; T Varndell, B Jacobs, R Flutey, D Lemi; D Walder, J Simpson; T Payne, T Lindsay, Z Taulafo, S Shaw, J Cannon, J Worsley, S Betsen, A Powell. Replacements: M Mayhew, C Beech, B Broster, M Veale, R Birkett, N Berry, D Waldouck, R Haughton.

Referee: James Jones (Wales)