Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY
TODAY
POOL FIVE – BIARRITZ v SARACENS
Parc des Sports Aguilera, 1.30pm – Canal Plus.
The Basques are in miserable form, stranded at the foot of the Top 14. Still, world-class forwards like Imanol Harinordoquy, Jérôme Thion, Sylvain Marconnet and Fabien Barcella makes them a serious proposition at home. However, the loss of Dimitri Yachvili is massive. Saracens have the tools to win. The only team to tip over the 40 mark last weekend, the suspended Schalk Brits is ably replaced by former Springbok captain John Smit, while Jacques Burger is another welcome addition to a South African-heavy pack, only offset by the loss of scrumhalf Neil de Kock.
BIARRITZ: D Haylett-Petty; T Ngwenya, B Baby, D Traille, I Balshaw; M Bosch, L Roussarie; F Barcella, B August, S Marconnet; J Thion, E Lund; B Guyot, I Harinordoquy, R Lakafia. Replacements: A Heguy, Y Watremez, F Gomez Kodela, P Taele, F Faure, Y Lesgourgues, J Peyrelongue, I Bolakoro.
SARACENS: C Wyles; D Strettle, O Farrell, B Barritt, J Short; C Hodgson, B Spencer; R Gill, J Smit, M Stevens; S Borthwick, H Smith; K Brown, J Burger, E Joubert. Replacements: J George, D Carstens, C Nieto, M Botha, A Saull, L Baldwin, A Powell, A Goode.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
POOL FIVE – TREVISO v OSPREYS
Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 1.30pm – Sky Italia
The Italians were filleted by English champions Saracens in round one, while the Ospreys made a winning start at home to a struggling Biarrtiz, primarily through the boot of Dan Biggar and the inspired presence of Mike Phillips’ replacement, Samoan scrumhalf Kahn Fotualii. Having never lost a European tie in Italy, the Welsh should maintain that record without too much stress today, providing Biggar’s kicking return continues. Jonathan Thomas faces a late fitness test. If he is ruled out Joe Bearman will play at number eight, with Tom Smith coming on to the replacements bench.
BENETTON TREVISO: L Nitoglia; B de Jager, T Benvenuti, A Sgarbi, B Williams; K Burton, T Botes; M Rizzo, E Ceccato, L Cittadini; A Pavanello, Cornelius van Zyl; B Vermaak, A Zanno, R Barberi. Replacements: F Sbaraglini, I Fernandez Rouyet, P di Santo, V Bernabo, G Padro, M Vosawai, W de Waal, F Semenzato.
OSPREYS: R Fussell; T Bowe, A Bishop, A Beck, S Williams; D Biggar, K Fotualii; D Jones, R Hibbard, A Jones; R Jones, I Evans; G Stowers, J Tipuric, J Thomas. Replacements: M Davies, R Bevington, A Jarvis, I Gough, Joe Bearman, R Webb, M Morgan, T Isaacs.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
SUNDAY
POOL THREE – BATH v MONTPELLIER
The Rec, 3pm – Sky Sports
Fabien Galthie has made a number of changes from the 16-all draw with Leinster for their first Heineken Cup match on the road. Tongan lock Joe Tuineau and Remy Martin cannot possibly weaken any pack, while Julien Thomas’ presence at scrumhalf is crucial as they must play a smart, tactical game. The All Blacks World Cup winning outhalf Stephen Donald makes his first start for Bath while Lewis Moody returns to their backrow. The fact it is do or die for the English club, combined with Montpellier’s inexperience, should dictate the result.
BATH RUGBY: N Abendanon; O Woodburn, D Hipkiss, S Vesty, T Biggs; S Donald, M Claassens; D Flatman, R Batty, D Wilson, S Hooper (capt), R Caldwell, F Louw, L Moody, S Taylor. Replacements: M Lilley, C Beech, A Perenise, D Attwood, G Mercer, M McMillan, O Barkley, J Cuthbert.
MONTPELLIER: L Amorosino; M Bustos Moyano, G Doumayrou, P Bosch, J Peyras Loustalet; F Trinh-Duc, J Tomas; M Nariashvili, A Creevy, M Bustos, J Tuineau, T Privat, R Martin, F Ouedraogo (capt), M Gorgodze. Replacements: R van Vuuren, N Leleimalefaga, G Jgenti, D Hancke, M Matadigo, B Paillaugue, S Fernandez, Y Audrin.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
POOL SIX – GLOUCESTER v HARLEQUINS
Kingsholm, 3.40pm – Sky Sports
Shook by Connacht last week, this may be the fixture, with The Shed in full voice, when Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins finally bend a knee. Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath has made two changes to the side unlucky to lose in Toulouse with big winger Lesley Vainikolo and hooker Scott Lawson returning. Joe Gray comes into the Harlequins frontrow as Chris Brooker drops to the bench while secondrow Tomas Vallejos replaces the injured Olly Kohn. Matt Hopper makes his first competitive start for the club, replacing George Lowe, who injured his ankle against Connacht, alongside Jordan Turner-Hall in the centre.
GLOUCESTER: J May; C Sharples, H Trinder, M Tindall, L Vainikolo; F Burns, R Lawson; N Wood, S Lawson, R Harden; W James, J Hamilton; P Buxton (capt), A Qera, A Strokosch. Replacements: D Dawidiuk, D Murphy, D Chistolini, T Savage, L Narraway, D Lewis, T Taylor, T Voyce.
HARLEQUINS: M Brown; S Stegmann, M Hopper, J Turner-Hall, S Smith; N Evans, K Dickson; J Marler, J Gray, J Johnston; T Vallejos, G Robson; M Faassavalu, C Robshaw, N Easter. Replacements: Brooker, Mayhew, Fairbrother, Matthews, Wallace, Care, Clegg, Casson.
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
