Heineken Cup previews

SATURDAY

Calvisano v Cardiff (2.0)

The return to competitive rugby of All Black legend Jonah Lomu following a kidney transplant. It's his first game for the Welsh club and should prove something of a gentle loosener. Cardiff will be keen to secure a bonus point and keep that momentum going towards a place in the knock out stages.

Bath v Glasgow (2.15)

Leinster fans would dearly love to see their Celtic brethren cause a shock here but that's unlikely in the extreme. Despite the absence of Danny Grewcock from the Bath second row the home side should have more than enough grunt up front to dominate this match. Glasgow will offer more of a challenge next week when at home.

ASM Clermont Auverigne v Stade Francais (4.0)

Away wins in French rugby are rare so it'll be a tall order for the Parisian aristocrats to upset the home side. Stade Francais seem to have weathered their injury crisis with Ignacio Corletto and Christophe Dominici back in action. Stade may have to settle for a losing bonus point.

Edinburgh v Toulouse (4.0)

The Scottish side pulled off a superb win against Wasps already this season and have been going well in the Celtic League. They'll approach this with a fair amount of confidence. There is no Trevor Brennan or Aidan McCullen in the Toulouse line-up as the French side go with a tall, mobile pack.

SUNDAY

Llanelli v Wasps (1.0)

Simon Easterby leads a Llanelli team in a contest that neither side can afford to lose. Wasps have yet to win a match and a defeat tonight would virtually end their playoff ambitions. The Welsh side were fortunately to sneak past Edinburgh at home the last time out and unless there is a considerable improvement might not be so lucky this time.

Leeds Tykes v Perpignan (2.30)

The French side have a history of underachieving on their travels when least expected and face a tricky tie here. Leeds have been far from impressive this season but do have some high quality players, especially former All Black scrumhalf Justin Marshall. This one could be close with a bit of Yorkshire grit to the fore.

Leicester v Ospreys (3.0)

Last season this would arguably have been the match of the weekend. The Ospreys pretty shaky form in the Celtic League has not extended to Europe and they have a creditable win over Stade Francais to their name. Gavin Henson is named on the bench but you'd be backing against form to suggest that the Ospreys are set to soar. Geordan Murphy and Shane Jennings are in for Leicester; Leo Cullen is on the bench. Home win.

Biarritz v Benetton Treviso (4.05)

The French side are nearly unplayable at home in decent conditions so it's hardly a surprise to consider them the strongest of favourites. Treviso are definitely not European lightweights having won away last season but there best chance of upsetting the formbook will come next week. Biarritz will be looking for a bonus point and should manage that late on.