YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND’S BIG CLASHES
SALE v SARACENS
(TODAY: AJ Bell Stadium, 1pm, Pool 1) The Sharks are without captain Dan Braid, Dave Seymour and Michael Paterson up front. Owen Farrell will start at inside centre for Saracens, as he did for England, and prop Mako Vunipola makes his first start of the season.
PREDICTION: Away win.
TREVISO v NORTHAMPTON
(TODAY: Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 1pm, Pool5 ) The Saints will have their England forwards — Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood — on the bench for this trip to Italy as Saints look to stay on course of the quarterfinals. Ken Pisi returns on the right wing and Sam Dickinson starts at lock.
PREDICTION: Away win.
HARLEQUINS v LEINSTER
(TOMORROW: Twickenham Stoop, 3.15pm, Pool 2) Chris Robshaw, back from international duty, makes his 200th appearance for Harlequins, who also reinstate England’s Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Marland Yarde. Skipper Jamie Heaslip starts at No 8 as one of 10 Leinster changes.
PREDICTION: Away win.
MUNSTER v CLERMONT AUVERGNE
(TODAY: Thomond Park, 5.30pm, Pool 1) Ireland’s Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Simon Zebo return in Munster’s reshuffled side. Lions centre Jon Davies takes a place on the Clermont bench as captain Aurelien Rougerie starts in midfield.
PREDICTION: Home win.
OSPREYS v RACING METRO
(TODAY: Liberty Stadium, 3.15pm, Pool5 ) Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar resume their Wales half-back alliance in an Ospreys line-up led by the returning Alun Wyn Jones. Scrum-half Mike Phillips is set to start for Racing, up against his former team-mates.
PREDICTION: Home win.
LEICESTER v TOULON
(TOMORROW: Welford Road, 5.30pm, Pool 3) England scrum-half Ben Youngs regains the Leicester captaincy and Geoff Parling is on the bench, but Tom Croft remains absent from the side. Former Tiger Martin Castrogiovanni will start in Toulon’s stellar line-up.
PREDICTION: Away win.
ULSTER v SCARLETS
(TODAY: Ravenhill, 7.45pm, Pool 3) Ulster have Ruan Pienaar and Dan Tuohy back from injury and Tommy Bowe and Robbie Diack from Test duty. The Scarlets are led by Scott Williams and bolstered by Liam Williams, Rhys Priestland, Jake Ball and Samson Lee.
PREDICTION: Home win.
CASTRES v WASPS
(TOMORROW: Stade Pierre Antoine, 1pm, Pool2 ) Castres are without Scottish Lion, lock Richie Gray, while his compatriot, Max Evans, is on the bench. James Haskell is back to captain Wasps, who are also reinforced by the welcome return of England prop Matt Mullan.
PREDICTION: Home win.
TOULOUSE v GLASGOW
(TOMORROW: Stade Ernest Wallon, 3.15pm, Pool 4) Toulouse have sufficient depth to leave Thierry Dusautoir on the bench, with Yannick Nyanga leading the side. Lions full back Stuart Hogg is among the Scotland players recalled by Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend.
PREDICTION: Home win.