This Weekend: Heineken Cup

Calvisano v Cardiff Blues

Today, 1.35pm BST, Centro San Michele

Cardiff Blues have traveled to the north of Italy with a bit of a swagger. Calvisano have won only two of their 36 Heineken Cup ties and the strength of David Young's backline is illustrated by the fact that Jamie Roberts, the strapping Wales wing, sits on the bench with Young making seven changes from the side that won at Sale last weekend. Tom Shanklin and Jamie Robinson form the center partnership and Jason Spice is back at scrum-half.

One to watch Ben Evans, the Calvisano prop, will be looking to impress against his old team-mates.

Clermont-Auvergne v Sale

Today, 1.35pm, Marcel Michelin, Sky Sports

These were always going to dangerous waters for the Sharks. Clermont led France's Top 14 last season and are difficult to beat here and Sale kick off without two key players. Andrew Sheridan has an arm injury and Mathew Tait is out with a hamstring strain. Lionel Faure is a decent replacement for the prop but Philippe Saint-André's decision to leave Charlie Hodgson on the bench and start with Richard Wigglesworth at No10 is a gamble.

One to watch Aurélien Rougerie, the Clermont captain and wing, has scored 16 tries in this competition.

Dragons v Glasgow Warriors

Today, 2.30pm, Rodney Parade

Paul Turner's Dragons are the least successful of the Welsh sides in the competition and this match is their best chance of a victory in a fiendishly difficult pool that contains Bath and Toulouse. Turner has given a first start to the 35-year-old Colin Charvis since the veteran back-rower joined the coaching staff this summer. The Scotland centre Graeme Morrison makes his 100th appearance for the Warriors.

One to watch Dan Parks, the Warriors' Scotland stand-off, can dictate games with his reliable boot.

Edinburgh v Leinster

Today, 1.35pm, Murrayfield, Sky Sports 2

Leinster put 49 points past Edinburgh two seasons ago but this lunchtime's meeting at an echoing Murrayfield will be close. The Irish province have flattered to deceive in this competition but their pack has been strengthened by the arrival of the Springbok prop CJ Van Der Linde and a backline containing Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald looks dangerous. Mike Blair, a candidate for the Lions scrum-half spot, will be a key man for Edinburgh.

One to watch Jamie Heaslip, the Leinster No8, will be looking to repeat his European form of last season.

Gloucester v Biarritz

Today, 5.30pm, Kingsholm, Sky Sports 2

Mike Tindall, Gloucester's captain, admitted his side had choked in the past in this competition and, with trips to Biarritz and Cardiff to come, his side have to win this evening. Dean Ryan has picked Ryan Lamb at No10 with Olly Barkley at inside-center alongside Tindall. There was a cloud over Kingsholm yesterday with the news that James Forrester, their talented No8, had been forced to retire at 27 after a succession of injuries.

One to watch Magnus Lund, the England flanker who left Sale last summer, is wearing the No6 shirt for Biarritz.

Ulster v Stade Français

Today, 3.30pm, Ravenhill

Stade have to show this season that their gaudy new shirts are not the only colourful thing about the Parisians. Stade may be France's top side but they often rely too much on their powerful pack, which today includes the Scotland No8 Simon Taylor in the second row. Ulster, who lost most of their leading players in the summer and won their first game last week, play the former London Irish flanker Kieron Dawson at No7 while Paddy Wallace is in the centre

One to watch Juan-Martin Hernandez, Stade's brilliant Argentinian fly-half, would catch the eye in any shirt.

Scarlets v Harlequins

Today, 3.30pm, Stradey Park, Sky Sports 2

The last European game at Stradey Park will be a lump-in-the-throat affair but the Scarlets need to keep their emotions in check. Harlequins' reserves pushed the Ospreys all the way in a cup tie in Swansea last weekend and Dean Richards' side will not be pushovers. Richards chooses Tom Guest at No8 ahead of the England international Nick Easter, who is on the bench, while Charlie Amesbury takes the injured David Strettle's place on the wing.

One to watch David Lyons, the experienced former Wallaby No8, adds extra power to the Scarlets back row.

Leicester v Ospreys

Tomorrow, 1pm, Welford Road, Sky Sports 1

This could be the tie of the weekend. The Ospreys, whose victory over the Tigers in the EDF Energy Cup final, led to the sacking of Leicester's coach Marcelo Loffreda, are buoyant. But Gavin Henson, who is suspended, and Sonny Parker, who is injured, are missing from their center and Tommy Bowe fills in at No13. Martin Corry is in the second row for the Tigers, who have their Springbok Derick Hougaard shadowing Toby Flood on the bench.

One to watch Richard Hibbard, the Ospreys hooker, is an outside candidate for a Lions place.

London Wasps v Castres

Tomorrow, 3pm, Adams Park

This week's training ground punch-up between Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey has been a major distraction for the 2007 European champions as they search for only a second win of a troubled season. Cipriani is back at No10 and Lewsey plays at outside-center and the Wasps pack, with seven England internationals, is back at full strength. The Australian Lachlan Mitchell is at full-back for Wasps, who should be too strong for the French club.

One to watch Danny Cipriani will hope to put his week behind him and pull the strings at fly-half.

Toulouse v Bath

Tomorrow, 3pm, Stade Ernest Wallon, Sky Sports 1

For Steve Meehan, who dips his toe into water for the first time in Europe's top competition, there could be no more difficult start for a coach. But Bath are playing some attractive rugby and have the boost of having their strapping wing Matt Banahan back after injury for the first time in a month. Justin Harrison, whose duel with Fabien Pelous in the second row is key, is also fit after injuring his shoulder. It would be a major shock, though, if Toulouse lose.

One to watch Yannick Jauzion is still the best center in the northern hemisphere on his day.