Pool one

Today

Clermont Auvergne v Sale Sharks, 1.35pm, Sky Sports 2 (interactive)

Sale face a tough trip because of injuries to Andrew Sheridan (arm) and Mathew Tait (hamstring). Charlie Hodgson drops to the bench with Richard Wigglesworth favoured at fly half. Clermont, fifth in the French Championship, often switched XVs last season but make only two changes to the side that beat Bourgoin last Saturday.

Pool two

Today

Edinburgh v Leinster, 1.35pm, Sky Sports 2

Second-season syndrome may afflict Andy Robinson, the Edinburgh head coach. Teams will be more wary this time, especially Leinster, who were beaten at Murrayfield last December. Leinster introduce their southern-hemisphere imports - CJ van der Linde, the World Cup-winning prop, and Rocky Elsom, the Australia flanker - and bring back Chris Whittaker.

Tomorrow

London Wasps v Castres, 3pm

Second from bottom in the Top 14, with one win from seven games, Castres are ripe for the plucking. They have struggled for points with Romain Teulet, their kicker, injured. Wasps have won just one from six, but are stronger on paper. Expect jokes about Danny Cipriani being in more danger from his team-mates with Josh Lewsey moved to centre.

Pool three

Tomorrow

Leicester v Ospreys, 1pm, Sky Sports 1

Not to be outdone by Cipriani, rugby's other enfant terrible Gavin Henson's two-match “internal” ban has unsettled Ospreys' preparations. There was due to be some bad blood after Henson received a 51-day ban when the clubs met in 2005-06. Leicester are close to full strength. Martin Corry is captaining from lock and Harry Ellis and Toby Flood are the half backs.

Pool four

Today

Scarlets v Harlequins, 3.30pm, Sky Sports 2

Scarlets should be pumped up for their last Heineken Cup match at Stradey Park. David Lyons, the Australia No8, makes his European debut. Kees Meeuws, the former All Blacks prop, returns at tight-head after injury. Harlequins are without Nick Evans, the New Zealand fly half, who is still out with a knee injury. Chris Malone is his replacement.

Ulster v Stade Français, 3.30pm, Sky Sports 2 (interactive)

Stade Français are the unbeaten leaders of Top 14, but they have never won at Ravenhill in the European cup. Surely that cannot happen again? Juan Martín Hernández and Lionel Beauxis are swapped again, with Beauxis at full back and the Argentinian at No10.

Pool five

Today

Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors, 2.30pm

This seems a battle of the also-rans, but for the presence of Tom Willis, the captain and former All Blacks hooker, and James Arlidge, the Japan fly half and former New Zealand Maori. Colin Charvis makes his first start of the season, after impressing as a replacement against Newcastle Falcons last weekend.

Tomorrow

Toulouse v Bath, 3pm, Sky Sports 1

The game of round one as the French champions face the Guinness Premiership leaders. Toulouse bring back a legion of France internationals and as an example of their strength are able to cover Jean-Baptiste Elissalde's injury with Byron Kelleher, the All Blacks scrum half. A full-strength Bath have muscle and class.

Pool six

Today

Calvisano v Cardiff Blues, 1.35pm, Sky Sports 2 (interactive)

Italian champions and European whipping boys, Calvisano have lost their past 24 games in this competition and have not won since 2003. “When you look at the scalps the Italian teams have taken, it's always been in the first or second round,” Dai Young, the Cardiff director of rugby who has brought back his big names, said.

Gloucester v Biarritz, 5pm, Sky Sports 2

Ryan Lamb gets the nod at fly half for Gloucester, who are desperate to prove themselves in this competition. Magnus Lund, the former Sale flanker, is at open-side flanker for Biarritz.