Sunday’s Champions Cup action should be a day to remember, with the round concluding with Exeter facing Leinster at Sandy Park.
Harlequins vs Ulster
Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston has made some alterations to his starting XV after last weekend’s Premiership victory over Saracens.
Marcus Smith is named to start at fly-half, following his late withdrawal last weekend, in an otherwise unchanged backline.
In the forwards, Will Collier (shoulder) and James Horwill (knee) miss out following injuries picked up during the win over Saracens. They are replaced by Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Matthews respectively, while Mike Brown is named captain in Horwill’s absence.
Amongst the replacements, Phil Swainston, Ian Prior and Winston Stanley join the matchday 23.
Ulster have been boosted by the return of Ireland internationals Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring for this fixture.
Henderson starts in the number six jersey in London and will captain the side in the absence of Rory Best, who is ruled out because of a foot infection.
Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney will join their skipper in the back row, with Alan O’Connor and Kieran Treadwell retained in the second row.
Wiehahn Herbst, who missed the recent games against Benetton and Dragons due to a calf injury, is selected in the front row alongside Herring and Callum Black.
John Cooney and Christian Lealiifano will once again combine in the half-back positions, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy Bowe are retained in midfield.
Stockdale joins Craig Gilroy, who scored a brace of tries last weekend at Rodney Parade, and Charles Piutau in the back three.
Ballymena RFC forwards John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Ross Kane and Matty Rea are named on the bench, along with Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson and Louis Ludik.
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown (c), 14 Charlie Walker, 13 Alofa Alofa, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Mat Luamanu, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Renaldo Bothma, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 George Merrick, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Dino Lamb, 20 Archie White, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Winston Stanley, 23 Ross Chisholm
Ulster: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 John Cooney, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 Sean Reidy, 6 Iain Henderson (c), 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Callum Black
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Ross Kane, 19 Matty Rea, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Peter Nelson, 23 Louis Ludik
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Kick-off: 13:00 GMT
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon (France), Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
TMO: Éric Gauzins (France)
La Rochelle vs Wasps
Top 14 table-toppers La Rochelle have made numerous alterations to their starting XV after their 26-14 triumph against Montpellier at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre last week.
There are several changes in the backline, with Kini Murimurivalu and Jérémy Sinzelle taking over from Vincent Rattez and Gabriel Lacroix at full-back and right wing respectively.
Geoffrey Doumayrou replaces Paul Jordaan at outside centre while Vincent Rattez comes in on the left wing as Rene Ranger’s replacement and Brock James starts at fly-half in place of Sinzelle, who wore the number 10 jersey against Montpellier.
Up front, Botia Veivuke, Zeno Kieft are the two starting flankers in place of Levani Botia and Jason Eaton, who shifts to the second row where he replaces Romain Sazy.
The final change is at hooker where Pierre Bourgarit replaces Jeremie Maurouard.
Meanwhile, Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has named a strong side to travel to the West coast of France.
The only change to the starting XV from last weekend’s bonus point win against Leicester Tigers sees captain Joe Launchbury fit to return to Wasps’ second row, alongside James Gaskell. Kearnan Myall is ready to make an impact from the bench and is in line to make his 100th appearance for Wasps.
Among the replacements, Tom Cruse returns to the matchday squad for the first time since breaking his thumb in the first round of the Champions Cup against Ulster.
There is also a welcome return to fitness for Kyle Eastmond, who provided a brilliant 40-minute cameo against Newcastle before being sidelined by return-to-play-protocols and a hamstring strain.
Nizaam Carr, Gaby Lovobalavu and Ben Harris are all set to make their European debuts for Wasps.
The teams:
La Rochelle: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Jérémy Sinzelle, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Pierre Aguillon, 11 Vincent Rattez, 10 Brock James, 9 Alexi Bales, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Botia Veivuke, 6 Zeno Kieft, 5 Thomas Jolmes, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Hikairo Forbes, 18 Mohamed Boughanmi, 19 Romain Sazy, 20 Kevin Gourdon, 21 Jean-Victor Goillot, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Rene Ranger
Wasps: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Thomas Young, 6 James Haskell, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 2 Ashley Johnson, 1 Simon McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Kearnan Myall, 20 Jack Willis, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Kyle Eastmond, 23 Gaby Lovobalavu
Venue: Stade Marcel Deflandre
Kick-off: 14:00 local (13:00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Kieran Barry (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Saracens vs Clermont
Called off due to weather
Exeter vs Leinster
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has made minimal changes to his matchday squad for this clash against the Irish province.
As expected, Baxter has seen little reason to tinker too much with his winning formula, the sole changes in personnel to the starting XV that beat Bath a week ago see England international Henry Slade come into the centre for Sam Hill, while up front Jonny Hill gets the nod over Sam Skinner in the Exeter engine room.
On the bench, Welsh international Tomas Francis provides back-up at tighthead prop with Australian Greg Holmes the man to miss out on this occasion.
Meanwhile, Leinster boss Leo Cullen is able to recall a number of players from international duty and from injury and there is also the possibility of a Champions Cup debut off the bench.
At full-back, Rob Kearney comes starts with Fergus McFadden on the right wing and captain Isa Nacewa on the left.
Robbie Henshaw has recovered from his hamstring injury to take his place in the centre with Garry Ringrose outside him at 13. With Ringrose only playing his second game of the season it’s the first time they have been paired together this campaign.
In the half-backs, Luke McGrath and Johnny Sexton will start for Leinster.
In the pack, Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Tadhg Furlong complete an experienced looking front row. Devin Toner returns behind them with the 39 times capped Australian Scott Fardy beside him.
In the back row, Rhys Ruddock starts at blindside flanker with Seán O’Brien selected at openside. Finally Jack Conan completes the starting XV for Leo Cullen by starting at number eight.
On the bench, Leinster Academy back Jordan Larmour is involved in a European matchday squad for the first time in his career. The 20-year-old has so far scored three tries in eight PRO14 appearances.
The teams:
Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 James Short, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Nic White, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Don Armand, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Sam Hill, 23 Jack Nowell
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Isa Nacewa (c), 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Seán O’Brien, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Scott Fardy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Seán Cronin, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Michael Bent, 19 James Ryan, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Jordan Larmour
Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Cyril Lafon (France), Stéphane Boyer (France)
TMO: Éric Gonthier (France)
The European Champions Cup goes into double header mode over the next few weeks as Europe’s top clubs continue to stake their claim for the knockout stages. Check out our recommended bets in advance over at Betsafe.
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