These things being relative, the players and coaches of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht have it easy. The Irishman with the least envied role in this weekend's Heineken European Cup is Gordon Black, entrusted with the onerous task of refereeing the powder keg affair at Sardis Road between Pontypridd and Brive.

Pontypridd have questioned the appointment of Black, a Dublin bank accountant, and urged tournament organisers to look elsewhere, suggesting the English trio Ed Morrison, Brian Campsall or Steve Lander.

However, Black, whose international experience is limited to Wales' 31-26 victory over Italy 20 months ago, draws sustenance from his experiences in Ireland. "People over here say that if you are used to refereeing Limerick derby matches, then it doesn't come much worse," claimed Black, whose touch judges are fellow Irishmen John Cole and Donal Courtney.

All eyes then and all cameras (with no little glee in Sky's weeklong build-up) on Sardis Road, in what might reasonably be referred to as Judgment Day Two. Any ear-severing here though and the outcry will be deafening. Somehow, Pontypridd and Brive must be on their best behaviour, and it is the nature of these return grudge matches in most sports, all the more so after plenty of advance publicity, that the combatants are on their best behaviour.

However, another potential fly in the ointment is any one of the capacity 8,000 crowd at what is affectionately known as the House of Pain. It only takes one idiot to do something daft. "We realise that our reputation as a club is on the line," admits Cenydd Thomas, Pontypridd's chief executive and a retired Queen's Police Medal-winning chief superintendent.

"Plans are in hand for sensible policing and stewarding - but I believe any hint of unruly behaviour will bring a prompt and positive response."

Matthew Lloyd will fill the Pontypridd number eight spot in the absence of Dale McIntosh, suspended along with Brive flanker Lionel Mallier after their dismissal in the first clash. Brive scrum-half Philippe Carbonneau is sidelined because his club have been unable to find a face mask that would protect his nose - broken in an alleged bar brawl that followed the game in France. Of the other alleged victims, David Venditti starts on the wing while Christophe Lamaison is a replacement.

Elsewhere, the English clubs are enjoying the high moral ground and top perch in their four groups. While Leicester seek to avenge the sole blemish on English clubs against Leinster, Harlequins could do Munster a possible favour at Bourgoin, though the 45-7 win at the Stoop has, as Andy Keast concedes; "no relevance to this weekend. They totally failed to play with the passion that we expect when we go there." Will Carling is doubtful with a calf muscle injury.

In Pools B and C, Wasps, a tempting bet at 7 to 2 second favourites, and the 3 to 1 favourites Bath (minus Ieuan Evans and Jeremy Guscott) ought to continue apace against Scottish Borders and Glasgow.

Another potentially volatile Welsh-French affair takes place at Stradey Park tomorrow in the Pool E summit meeting between Llanelli and Pau. This is the third instalment in what has been an often ugly and violent collision, the second of which (refereed by Limerick's Leo Mayne) will ensure disciplinary action on Monday by the ERC board. The referee this time? Ulster's Brian Stirling.

. A cloud is hanging over South African Rugby which needs to be lifted, President Nelson Mandela said yesterday, explaining his decision to appoint a judicial probe into the sport.

"The inquiry into the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) relates to and concerns the management of rugby in South Africa as a whole," Mandela said in a statement released by his office in Pretoria.

The terms of reference of the probe, to be headed by acting Judge Jules Browde, were published yesterday in the Government Gazette.

Among issues to be examined are contracts relating to media coverage of rugby, the payment of commissions, the awarding of any benefits, privileges or sponsorship, and the ownership and management of stadiums or other facilities.