Tonight's Matches

EDINBURGH V LONDON WASPS, Murrayfield (7

EDINBURGH V LONDON WASPS, Murrayfield (7.30):A victory is a prerequisite for both teams if they wish to hang on to Leinster's coat-tails in the pool.

EDINBURGH V LONDON WASPS

Murrayfield (7.30)

A victory is a prerequisite for both teams if they wish to hang on to Leinster's coat-tails in the pool. Wasps recently rediscovered that winning feeling in their domestic league but their form this season has been poor by their standards. They'll know that if they can sneak a win here, Leinster still have to travel to London - Twickenham rather than Adams Park - in January.

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Eoin Reddan starts at scrumhalf, while former Garryowen hooker Damien Varley has forced his way on to the bench. Edinburgh's performances - their abject display against Leinster notwithstanding - have been on a more even keel and that coupled with home advantage could see them prevail.

Verdict:Edinburgh.

CARDIFF BLUES v BIARRITZ

(8.0, live on Sky Sports 1)

Five of the team that helped Wales to their recent victory over Australia have been included in the Cardiff line-up. Jamie Roberts (fractured skull) will definitely be a loss but this is offset by the presence of young wing Leigh Halfpenny. The Welsh side can also call on a strong bench.

Biarritz have stumbled from one disaster to another this season and recently parted company with one of their joint coaches, Jacques Delmas. The French club are in a real state of flux domestically and there doesn't seem much prospect of salvation in Europe. The visitors have some fine individual players but lack team cohesion.

Verdict:Cardiff Blues.

SALE SHARKS v MONTAUBAN

Edgeley Park (7.45)

Having lost to Munster at home last time out Sale know they can not afford a second slip up at home. The match 22 is bolstered by the return from injury of England international loosehead prop Andrew Sheridan who is named among the replacements, where is joined by Matthew Tait.

It will be interesting to see if there is any on-field wobble in the wake of this week's news that coach Phillipe Saint-Andre is stepping down at the end of the season.

The English club are coming off the back of victories over Wasps and Leicester in the Premiership. Montauban showed at Thomond Park they shouldn't be underestimated but Sale should have too much fire-power.

Verdict:Sale Sharks.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer