LEICESTER TIGERS v BEZIERS
(Sat 14th kick-off 2.45pm)
Leicester stole the initiative in Pool 1 with a 24-12 at Beziers last weekend, and the French side will be anxious not to let the Tigers complete the double at Welford Road.
The double Heineken Cup champions are favourites to qualify from Pool 1.
Beziers have lost the services of lock Thibault Privat. The French international is suffering from an acute ankle strain he picked up in last week’s match.
NEATH v AMATORI & CALVISANO
(Sat 14th kick-off 2.30pm)
Neath fans will be fuming following their side’s 38-29 defeat to Amatori & Calvisano. The loss sees them propping up the Pool table – a position no-one would have expected at the start of the competition.
For Amatori & Calvisano, their first ever competition victory will fill them with confidence for the return trip. Key players will be outside-half Vincenzo Zullo, who bagged 18 points against Neath, and fullback Massimo Ravazzalo – who scored two tries last weekend.
**Are you a Neath fan, how did you feel last week
POOL 2
VIADANA v MUNSTER
(Sat 14th kick-off 6.00pm)
Viadana were completely outplayed at Musgrave Park last weekend, conceding nine tries and losing 64-0. The Italian champions will need to work hard of their defensive patterns if they are to avoid the same fate again this week.
For Munster, putting points on the board against the weakest team in the group will be crucial if they want to catch Pool leaders Gloucester. Good news for the Munstermen is that Dominic Crotty and John Kelly are back in contention for selection.
GLOUCESTER v PERPIGNAN
(Sat 14th kick-off 3.00pm)
Gloucester look unstoppable. With three wins from three games they top the Pool, and they also top their domestic league.
A 33-16 win at Kingsholm over Perpignan in Round 3 sees them with one foot in the quarter-finals, but Perpignan must win this one, or they’re out – expect a fast open game with plenty of points.
POOL 3
GLASGOW RUGBY v BOURGOIN
(Fri 13th kick-off 7.30pm)
Bourgoin have played three, and won three in Pool 3, and now have to travel to Scotland to face Glasgow. The French side won the Round 3 match 35-21, but will be wary of Glasgow on their home turf. Glasgow’s Cook Island goal-kicker Tommy Hayes is a dangerous player.
LLANELLI v SALE SHARKS
(Fri 13th kick-off 7.30pm)
PARKER PEN SHIELD holders Sale Sharks have found the step up to Heineken Cup rugby difficult, and will be disappointed with their record of three straight defeats in the Pool. And they can expect another difficult match as they travel to Wales to face Llanelli.
For the Scarlets this is a must-win game, and if Scott Quinnell and the pack take charge as they did at Heywood Road last weekend, expect a big home victory.
**Will Llanelli make it to the quarter-finals again this season?
POOL 4
MONTFERRAND VULCANS v LEINSTER LIONS
(Fri 13th kick-off 7.35pm)
Leinster Lions stole a 23-20 victory from Montferrand with a late Denis Hickie try in Round 3, and the newly named Vulcans will be reeling from a defeat in a match they dominated from start until virtually the finish.
But Leinster have the winning habit, and the Celtic League semi-finalists look like a good bet to go through to the final eight of the Heineken Cup. Montferrand on the other hand must win this one or they will be face an early elimination, which for the twice Heineken Cup quarter-finalists, and Shield winners in 98/99, will be seen as failure.
BRISTOL SHOGUNS v SWANSEA
(Sun 15th kick-off 3.00pm)
Swansea won their first Heineken Cup game for two seasons with a 26-19 win at St. Helens to Bristol Shoguns and the win will give them fresh belief for the return match at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday.
**Will Swansea continue their winning ways?
POOL 5
TOULOUSE v EDINBURGH
(Sun 15th kick-off 2.00pm)
A breath-taking second-half display from Toulouse tore apart Edinburgh at the Meadowbank Stadium in Round 3, and Todd Blackadder’s side must be concerned the same will happen again at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
Worse news for coach Ian Rankin is that Scottish international outside half Duncan Hodge will be absent for at least three weeks with the fractured hand he sustained during last week’s match.
LONDON IRISH v NEWPORT
(Sun 15th kick-off 3.00pm)
Welsh big spenders Newport are starting to get their season going, and their first Heineken Cup win of the year against London Irish last weekend (16-12) at Rodney Parade has set up an intriguing rematch this weekend.
With both sides on two points from three games, the loser of this can kiss quarter-final qualification good-bye, while the winner still has an outside shot of backdoor qualification via a second-place finish.
**Can Newport do the Double over the Exiles?
POOL 6
BIARRITZ OLYMPIQUE v ULSTER
(Sat 14th 3.00pm)
In the tightest of all the groups Biarritz Olympique host Ulster, still smarting from their narrow 13-9 at Ravenhill last weekend. That match was too close to call – but Biarritz should win this with home advantage.
CARDIFF v NORTHAMPTON
(Sun 15th 1.30pm)
Cardiff must regroup following their third straight Heineken Cup defeat last week at Northampton.
The Blue and Blacks will be desperate to give their home fans their first Cup victory of the season at Cardiff Arms Park, but will need their pack to stay on the pitch if they are to compete.
Northampton are a side on top of their game, and with key player Ben Cohen on fire, they are sure to cause Cardiff problems. Add to that the fact that Cardiff star fullback Rhys Williams seems set to miss the match with a badly gashed knee, an away victory seems the most likely outcome.
**What do you think… Can Cardiff beat Northampton?
**all kick-offs local times
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