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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Champions Cup pool-by-pool preview: Saracens’ Brad Barritt chases home tie

Brad Barritt returns to make his first appearance of 2019 with Saracens already qualified but chasing a home quarter-final.
Brad Barritt returns to make his first appearance of 2019 with Saracens already qualified but chasing a home quarter-final. Photograph: Matthew Impey/REX/Shutterstock

Pool One

Jonathan Joseph makes his first appearance for Bath since April after recovering from a long-term foot injury. Joseph, who was left out of England’s squad for their Six Nations opener against Ireland, comes back into the side at outside-centre while Dave Attwood and Francois Louw return for the trip to Toulouse. Zack Holmes is back at fly-half for the French side. Leinster, who will guarantee top spot with victory at Wasps, welcome back Robbie Henshaw, Devin Toner and Jack McGrath while Sean O’Brien is fit to take his place on the bench but Jonathan Sexton is absent. Elliot Daly comes back in for Wasps on the left wing.

Toulouse v Bath

Wasps v Leinster (both Sun 3.15pm GMT)

Pool Two

Jack Nowell – touted on Thursday as a future openside flanker by Eddie Jones – continues at full-back for Exeter Chiefs, who make one change for their first trip to Munster with Harry Williams replacing Tomas Francis at tighthead prop. Peter O’Mahony has been passed fit for Munster, who also make one change to the side that thrashed Gloucester last weekend – also at tighthead – as John Ryan comes in for Stephen Archer. Gloucester make wholesale changes with only Henry Walker, Gerbrandt Grobler, Lewis Ludlow, Tom Hudson and Ollie Thorley, the latter called up by England for the first time this week, keeping their places for the trip to Castres.

Castres v Gloucester

Munster v Exeter (both Sat 5.30pm GMT)

Pool Three

Brad Barritt makes his first appearance of the year for Saracens against Glasgow having recovered from a head injury. He returns to captain the side at inside-centre, joining the in-form Nick Tompkins in midfield as the 2017 champions seek the victory that would guarantee a home quarter-final. Glasgow, who are also well-placed to progress, make four changes with the fly-half Adam Hastings among those to come into the side. Nick Williams captains Cardiff Blues, who make 11 changes for the visit of Lyon, who are still without a point from their first five matches.

Cardiff Blues v Lyon

Saracens v Glasgow (both Sat 1pm GMT)

Pool Four

Leicester welcome back their England quartet of Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, George Ford and Dan Cole as they host Ulster. All four were absent from the side that was thumped by the Scarlets last time out but return as Leicester look to avoid finishing bottom of the pool. Ulster are boosted by the return of Iain Henderson, who comes into the second row. The Scarlets are captained by Jonathan Davies, who makes his 50th European appearance against Racing 92 in Paris. For Racing Bernard Le Roux moves to the back row as the French side try to top the pool.

Leicester v Ulster

Racing 92 v Scarlets (both Sat 3.15pm GMT)

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