Previews of this weekend's matches
SATURDAY
POOL ONE
London Irish v Benetton Treviso
Madejski stadium (3.0)
If the Exiles are to entertain genuine ambition of making the knockout stages of the competition then picking up a bonus point in this game is a prerequisite.
Bob Casey (pictured) leads a team that on paper boasts an impressive pack and plenty of pace behind the scrum. Treviso are struggling, a fate that's not likely to change in the short term despite the wonderful skills of fullback Brendan Williams.
Mike Catt to guide Irish to victory.
POOL TWO
Ospreys v Bourgoin
Liberty stadium (5.30, delayed coverage on Sky Sports 2)
The French side simply do not turn up to play in European competition and there's nothing to suggest that they are about to start here. They've lost Julien Bonnaire to Clermont Ferrand while their Welsh hosts have captured players of the calibre of former All Black Marty Holah (pictured).
Ospreys could prove dark horses for overall honours and the first step on that journey will begin with a comprehensive win today.
POOL THREE
Stade Français Paris v Harlequins
Stade Jean Bouin (1.35)
Ireland A international Simon Keogh is on standby to replace David Strettle if the latter fails to recover from injury as the London club travel to the French capital.
They've got a strong abrasive pack that includes Cork-born prop Mike Ross, ably led by Paul Volley.
Stade have elected to omit their Argentinian contingent of Ignacio Corleto, Juan Martín Hernández (pictured) - he remains a target for Leicester - and Rodrigo Roncero. The home side could find this tougher than they imagine.
POOL FOUR
Viadana v Biarritz Olympique
Stadio Luigi Zaffanella (1.30)
The only imponderable with regard to this contest is what margin Biarritz will win by as once again they find themselves in a remarkably straight-forward pool.
The French side provide former Springbok Ashwin Willemse with his debut on the wing in a backline containing Damien Traille (pictured).
The Italians should be competitive up until about the 50-minute mark but they're facing into the prospect of a long afternoon.
POOL SIX
Edinburgh v Toulouse
Murrayfield (3.30, live on Sky Sports 2)
Toulouse coach Guy Novès has selected Gaffie du Toit at outhalf and the one-time Springbok will partner Jean-Baptiste Elissalde at scrumhalf.
All Black Byron Kelleher (pictured) is handed a week's rest. The backline includes French World Cup stars Clément Poitrenaud, Vincent Clerc and Yannick Jauzion.
Tonga star Finau Maka joins Thierry Dusatoir and Yannick Nyanga in a fearsome backrow.
Former Ulster wing Andrew Maxwell starts on the wing for Edinburgh who have lost eight of the nine meetings between the teams.
Sunday
POOL THREE
Cardiff Blues v Bristol Rugby
Arms Park (1.0, live on Sky Sports 2)
Bristol coach Richard Hill (pictured) has made four changes and two positional switches. England scrumhalf Shaun Perry returns in place of former Leinster player Brian O'Riordan while Mark Regan (Dave Blaney drops to the bench) Jason Hobson and Matt Salter all return to the pack.
Cardiff also make several alterations of their own for a match they should win comfortably despite one or two injury concerns behind the scrum.
POOL FOUR
Saracens v Glasgow Warriors
Vicarage Road (3.0)
Glasgow include Daryl Gibson, the former All Black signing from Leicester Tigers, in a side that has developed under Sean Lineen's direction.
Saracens coach Alan Gaffney recalls flanker Richard Hill, prop Kevin Yates and secondrow Kris Chesney while Francisco Leonelli comes in at fullback. Italy hooker Fabio Ongaro (above) is named on the bench alongside Gordon Ross and Moses Rauluni.
The English club should prevail.
POOL FIVE
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Llanelli Scarlets
Stade Marcel Michelin (3.0, live on Sky Sports 2)
Undoubtedly one of the games of the weekend. Ireland's Simon Easterby is unable to lead the Scarlets because of an arm injury while wing Mark Jones is also missing.
Springbok captain John Smit looks set to make his debut for Clermont after he was named on the bench. He will understudy Argentina's Mario Ledesma (above) while his fellow South African World Cup-winner Butch James has been handed the number 10 jersey.
Ledesma links up with countryman Martín Scelzo in a pack that features Julien Bonnaire and Elvis Vermeulen. The French side mightn't be favoured by the bookies but they should prevail.
