Pool One
Wasps welcome their captain, Joe Launchbury, back to the starting XV for the trip to pool leaders La Rochelle as Elliot Daly continues on the wing for Dai Young’s side. Launchbury’s return is the only change to the side who beat Leicester last time out as Wasps look to strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive against the Top 14 leaders. Brock James is at fly-half for La Rochelle with Ryan Lamb on the bench. Harlequins recall Marcus Smith at fly-half after he was a late withdrawal last Sunday. Kyle Sinckler also comes in to start but James Horwill misses out through injury, meaning Mike Brown captains the side against Ulster. The visitors are led by Iain Henderson, in Rory Best’s absence, while there are also starts for Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring.
Pool Two
Schalk Burger starts for Saracens at openside flanker in a repeat of last season’s final against Clermont, replacing the injured Maro Itoje in the back row. Will Skelton also comes into the pack in place of Nick Isiekwe in the second row. For Clermont, who are a point behind Saracens after the opening two matches, Isaia Toeava is the surprise choice at fly-half, with Camille Lopez, Patricio Fernández and Luke McAlister all injured. Dan Biggar is absent from the Ospreys side who face his future employers Northampton. Rhys Webb is also missing for the Welsh region while Northampton make eight changes, welcoming back Luther Burrell, David Ribbans and Christian Day. Lewis Ludlam makes his first competition start from openside flanker.
Pool Three
Exeter make only two changes from the side who thumped Bath with Henry Slade returning in the backs and Jonny Hill coming into the second row. It means Thomas Waldrom continues at No8 with Sam Simmonds having to make do with a place on the bench against Leinster, who lead the pool despite both these sides having won their first two matches. For Leinster, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose are reunited in the centres with Leo Cullen recalling a host of Ireland internationals, including Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney. Up front, Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Tadhg Furlong form a formidable front row while Devin Toner is paired with Scott Fardy at lock.
Pool Four
Leicester are boosted by the return of the England wing Jonny May for the top-of-the-table match against Munster in Limerick. May has 10 tries in nine club appearances this season. Luke Hamilton returns to the back row. Matt O’Connor has resisted the temptation to recall Manu Tuilagi with Matt Smith coming in for the injured Gareth Owen at outside-centre. For Munster, Johann van Graan takes charge of his first Champions Cup match and has included returning internationals Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Dave Kilcoyne, Conor Murray and Andrew Conway. Joe Rokocoko is named at outside-centre for Racing 92 against Castres.
Pool Five
Bath are without Semesa Rokoduguni for their trip to Toulon after it was confirmed the wing requires shoulder surgery. In his absence, Matt Banahan and Aled Brew line up on the wings. At No8, Taulupe Faletau slots back in after he represented Wales against South Africa last weekend outside World Rugby’s official Test window, which has led to a charge for Bath from Premiership Rugby. For Toulon, Chris Ashton, who has 13 tries in 11 league matches since his move from Saracens, continues at full-back. Scarlets have called on 10 internationals for their match with Benetton, for whom Monty Ioane makes his debut. There is no place in the Scarlets side for the centre Scott Williams, however.
