Heineken Cup Preview

Gloucester v Munster

Today, 5.30pm, Kingsholm, Sky Sports 2

Gloucester must somehow rediscover the form of the first half of the season if they are to spring an upset this evening. The return of Mike Tindall to their bench 10 weeks after his horrific injury for England is a major plus but it is up front where Dean Ryan's side are struggling of late and against Munster's all-Irish international pack it could be a long night. Andy Hazell will be a key man at open-side and the hooker Andy Titterrell must find his line out jumpers if Paul O'Connell and Donnacha O'Callaghan are not to prosper.

London Irish v Perpignan

Today, 3pm, Madejski Stadium, Sky Sports 2

The ill feeling that lingers from these sides' pool games adds spice to this third meeting. Perry Freshwater, Perpignan's England prop whose stray elbow caused Kieran Roche's broken cheekbone in France, is on the bench as is Shane Geraghty for Irish. The Exiles have chosen Mike Catt at No10 and Geraghty is almost certain to replace the veteran at some stage in the second half. Perpignan have an enormous pack of forwards but key to Irish will be Nick Kennedy and Bob Casey, the Premiership's best defensive lineout pair, and the team can score tries from anywhere.

Saracens v Ospreys

Tomorrow, 12.30pm, Vicarage Road, Sky Sports 2

The Ospreys were dominant when these sides met in the EDF Energy Cup semi-final a fortnight ago and the loss of Chris Jack, injured in that match, helps make it difficult to imagine a Saracens victory. The Ospreys have their own injury problems, with the loss of Mike Phillips and Nikki Walker in the last two weeks a big handicap. But the All Black Justin Marshall is not a bad replacement for the scrum-half Phillips and outside him Shane Williams, James Hook and Gavin Henson provide limitless try-scoring potential. Alan Gaffney keeps faith with Andy Farrell alongside Kevin Sorrell in the center while Richard Hill bolsters their back row.

Toulouse v Cardiff Blues

Tomorrow, Stade Municipal, 3pm BST, Sky Sports 2

Toulouse, the blue bloods of Europe, have won this trophy three times and it would be extraordinary, even in this purple patch for Welsh rugby, if the
Cardiff Blues were to win in south-west France tomorrow. Guy Noves has solved his scrum-half problem by playing both. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is at fly-half and Byron Kelleher at No9. Cardiff's open-side Martyn Williams will have to be at his best to compete with Toulouse's brilliant back row.