Ian Malin 

Heineken Cup team news

Ulster go to Clermont Auvergne with confidence but without Darren Cave, while Saracens go to Italy with Rhys Gill on the bench
  
  

gill
Rhys Gill, left, has been replaced by Matt Stevens in the Saracens front row this weekend. Photograph: Bob Edme/AP Photograph: Bob Edme/AP

Bath v Glasgow

Saturday, 1.30pm, Recreation Ground

Bath's problems began with their last-minute defeat in Glasgow in the autumn and only pride is at stake on Saturday. Chris Cook will form a new half-back partnership with Bath's All Blacks fly‑half Stephen Donald and Charlie Beech is at loosehead.

Castres v Scarlets

Saturday, 6pm GMT, Stade Pierre Antoine

The Scarlets' unexpected reverse at home to Northampton has ended their Heineken Cup hopes. Stephen Jones leads them in France and, worryingly for England, the No8 Ben Morgan joins a lengthy injury list with a bruised knee.

Clermont Auvergne v Ulster

Saturday, 3.40pm GMT, Stade Marcel Michélin, Sky Sports 1

Ulster are looking to repeat their 16-11 win over Clermont in Belfast and are brimming with confidence after last weekend. Ian Whitten replaces the injured Darren Cave in the centre.

Leicester v Aironi

Saturday, 3.40pm, Welford Road

Leicester's humbling in Belfast last Friday will make for a muted afternoon in the east Midlands. Micky Young, a summer transfer from Newcastle, makes his first start for the Tigers at scrum-half, with Billy Twelvetrees joining Anthony Allen in midfield. Dan Cole is on the bench alongside the former Worcester lock Graham Kitchener.

Leinster v Montpellier

Saturday, 1.30pm, RD Showground, Sky Sports 1

The champions are already in the last eight and can afford to make changes, with Jamie Hagan in for his Heineken Cup debut at tighthead and Rhys Ruddock in the back row alongside Jamie Heaslip, who makes a 50th Heineken Cup appearance.

Northampton v Munster

Saturday, 6pm, Stadium mk, Sky Sports 1

Chris Ashton's omission from the Northampton squad will not help the Saints' chances of repeating their thrilling win against Munster two seasons ago. Munster have Donncha O'Callaghan back in the second row.

Biarritz v Ospreys

Sunday, 1pm, Parc des Sports Aguiléra

This has been another disappointing season in Europe for the Ospreys, who need an unlikely bonus-point victory to have a hope of making the last eight of the Challenge Cup. Eli Walker makes a Heineken Cup debut on the left wing.

Cardiff Blues v Racing Métro

Sunday, 3.15pm, Cardiff City Stadium, Sky Sports 2

The Blues and Edinburgh are level on points at the top of Pool Two but the Welsh side have the advantage in meeting the out-of-sorts Parisians. Gavin Evans replaces Gavin Henson, picked in the Wales squad this week, in the centre for the Blues.

Edinburgh v London Irish

Sunday, 3.15pm, Murrayfield

Phil Godman's last-gasp drop-goal in Paris last Friday gives Edinburgh the chance to pip the Blues on Sunday. Roddy Grant replaces Ross Rennie in the back row while the lock Bob Casey returns to lead the Exiles.

Treviso v Saracens

Sunday, 1pm GMT, Stadio di Mongio, Sky Sports 2

Saracens go to Italy in search of a win that would allow them to top Pool Five. Peter Stringer starts at scrum‑half while Matt Stevens is at loosehead with the Welshman Rhys Gill, who was outstanding in the win over Biarritz last Sunday, on the bench. James Short replaces Chris Wyles on the left wing.

 

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