Heineken Cup previews

Pool Two: Biarritz Olympique v Gloucester Rugby Parc des Sports Aguilera Kick-off: 1.35The French side toughed it out against Glasgow at Firhill last week and were rewarded with a 22-18 victory.

They can really give themselves a significant nudge towards the playoffs is they can manage a four try here. Gloucester were unimpressive in victory at home to the Dragons. Biarritz pack to hold sway.

BIARRITZ OLYMPIQUE: M Bosch; T Ngwenya, A Mignardi, D Traille, N Brusque; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; F Barcella, B August, C Johnstone; J Thion (capt) P Taele; M Lund, S Vahafolau, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: R Terrain, E Coetzee, M Moala, M Carizza, W Lauret, V Courrent, A Erinle, L Tranier.

GLOUCESTER RUGBY: T Voyce; C Sharples, J Simpson-Daniel, E Fuimaono-Sapolu, L Vainikolo; N Robinson, D Lewis; A Dickinson, S Lawson, G Somerville; D Attwood, W James; A Qera, A Hazell, G Delve (capt). Replacements: D Dawiduik, P Doran-Jones, P Capdevielle, J Boer, R Lawson, T Molenaar, C Spencer, F Burns.

Referee: Alan Lewis(Ireland)

Pool Three

Viadana v Leicester Tigers

Stadio Luigi Zaffanella Kick-off 1.30pm

The Italian side produced a decent performance last weekend on their travels, pushing Clermont before losing 36-18. Leicester Tigers Lazarantine comeback against the Ospreys said as much about their opponents as it did the English club. Won’t be straightforward but Tigers should win without a bonus point.

VIADANA: G Law; K Robertson, M Harvey, S Cox, M Pratichetti; P Hola, P Canavosio; M Alonso, R Santamaria, I Elosu; S Hohneck, Q Geldenhuys (capt); A Benatti, A Persico, G Quinnell. Replacements: L Milani, L Ferraro, J Garcia, C del Fava, A Birchall, J Sole, A Brancoli, M Woodrow

LEICESTER TIGERS: S Hamilton; J Murphy, A Allen, B Twelvetrees, L Amorosino; J Staunton, J Grindal; B Stankovich, G Chuter, M Castrogiovanni; L Deacon (capt), G Parling; T Croft, L Moody, J Crane. Replacements: J Duffey, J White, M Ayerza, R Blaze, B Deacon, B Youngs, M Smith, T Youngs.

Referee: Pascal Gauzere(France).

Ospreys v ASM Clermont Auvergne

Liberty stadium Kick-off: Sunday 12.45

An injury to Lee Byrne put the tin hat on things last weekend for the Welsh side. Director of Rugby Scott Johnson came out with the memorable line ‘that he felt like he’d just kissed his mother-in-law after seeing his side throw away a huge lead before drawing 32-32 with Leicester. Lee Byrne is injured, Tommy Bowe plays in the centre and Clermont bring a team choc-full of quality.

OSPREYS: B Davies; N Walker, T Bowe, J Hook, S Williams; D Biggar, M Phillips; D Jones, H Bennett, C Griffiths; A Jones, J Thomas; J Collins, M Holah, R Jones (capt). Replacements: R Hibbard, P James, C Mitchell, I Gough, F Tiatia, J Nutbrown, A Bishop, S Parker.

ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE: A Rougerie (capt); B Baby, G Canale, S Bai, N Vonowale Nalaga; B James, K Senio; L Faure, M Ledesma, M Scelzo; J Cudmore, T Privat; J Bonnaire, A Lapandry, E Vermeulen. Replacements: W Wepener, T Domingo, V Debaty, J White, J Bardy, M Parra, B Russell, G Williams.

Referee: Wayne Barnes(England).

Pool Four

Bath v Stade Français

The Recreation Ground Kick-off: Sunday 3pm

Stade Francais had their four try bonus point rapped up after 28 minutes last week, a statistic they’re unlikely to replicate tomorrow. Bath have been struggling to play for 80 minutes this season. The return of Nicky Little at outhalf will give them direction and they should be a little more determined at home.

BATH RUGBY: N Abendanon; J Maddock, M Carraro, S Hape, M Banahan; N Little, M Claassens (capt); D Flatman, P Dixon, D Bell; S Hooper, D Grewcock; J Fa'amatuainu, J Salvi, B Skirving. Replacements: R Hawkins, D Barnes, D Wilson, P Short, C Cracknell, S Bemand, R Davis, J Cuthbert.

STADE FRANÇAIS PARIS: H Southwell; J Arias, G Bousses, G Messina, M Gasnier; L Beauxis, J Dupuy; R Roncero (capt), D Szarzewski, D Attoub; T Palmer, P Pape; J Haskell, P Rabadan, S Parisse. Replacements: B Kayser, D Weber, R Gerber, A Marchois, M Blin, N Oelschig, M Bergamasco, O Phillips.

Referee: George Clancy(Ireland).

Pool Five

Harlequins v Toulouse

The Stoop Kick-off: 6pm

Danny Care, Ugo Monye and Nick Easter all return after their enforced rest last weekend – RFU orders – and will make the home side a tougher proposition. Toulouse make wholesale changes from last week’s victorious team, particularly in the pack. It doesn’t really weaken them per se. Six forwards on the bench illustrates what kind of game they expect.

HARLEQUINS: M Brown; D Strettle, G Tiesi, T Masson, U Monye; N Evans, D Care; C Jones, T Fuga, M Lambert; L Stevenson, J Evans; C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), N Easter. Replacements: C Brooker, A Croall, J Andress, S O'Connor, T Guest, S So'oialo, R Clegg, G Lowe.

TOULOUSE: M Medard; V Clerc, Y David , Y Jauzion, Y Donguy; J Elissalde, B Kelleher; J Poux, W Servat, B Lecouls; R Millo-Chluski, P Albacete; Y Nyanga, T Dusautoir (capt), S Sowerby. Replacements: A Vernet Basualdo, C Johnston, D Human, J Bouilhou, F Michalak, F Fritz, G Lamboley, L Picamoles.

Referee: Alain Rolland(Ireland)

Pool Six

London Irish v Scarlets

Madejski stadium Kick-off: 3pm

Ryan Lamb starts instead of Chris Malone at outhalf in the only change to the London Irish backline. Coach Toby Booth continues their rotation policy in the front row while Leinster tormentor Steffon Armitage is rested under the English RFU playing agreement. The Scarlets are capable of anything but probably not winning as they lack strength in depth.

LONDON IRISH: P Hewat; T Homer, E Seveali'i, S Mapusua, S Tagicakibau; R Lamb, P Hodgson; D Murphy, D Paice, F Rautenbach; N Kennedy, B Casey (capt); D Danaher, G Stowers, C Hala'ufia. Replacements: D Coetzee, C Dermody, P Ion, A Perry, R Thorpe, P Richards, C Malone, A Lalanne

SCARLETS: D Evans; L Williams, S Lamont, J Davies, M Jones (capt); S Jones, M Roberts; I Thomas, M Rees, D Manu; L Reed, D Day; S Easterby, D Jones, D Lyons. Replacements: K Owens, P John, J Corsi, V Cooper, R Pugh, T Knoyle, R Priestland, R Higgitt.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon(Ireland)

(All kick-offs are Irish-time)