Pool One
The England No8 Nathan Hughes returns from injury on Sunday to make his first start for Wasps since October in a match they must win to have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Hughes is one of two changes from the side who lost 49-29 to La Rochelle last weekend with Willie le Roux returning at full-back. It is a meeting between the two sides who topped their respective leagues last season only to perish in the play-offs, but while the French arrivistes have kicked on, Wasps have developed an inconsistent streak and have conceded five try bonus points in all competitions this season. “We have to improve by 10%,” said the director of rugby, Dai Young. At least.
Pool Two
Northampton start life without Jim Mallinder at Ospreys on Sunday minus their captain, Dylan Hartley, who is ill, and Courtney Lawes, who is rested for what is effectively a dead rubber for the Saints after the home defeat by Ospreys. The interim coach, Alan Dickens, has made five changes from the team that became the first to lose at home to the Welsh region this season with the England flanker Tom Wood returning to the back row. Ospreys, who looked doomed after defeats in the opening rounds, suddenly have something to play for after Saracens’ collapse at home to Clermont Auvergne, although it is seven years since they won successive matches in the European Cup. Their Lions’ half-backs Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar, who is joining Northampton in the summer, start on the bench, but Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric are in the back five. Saracens kick off at the same time, looking to extend their unbeaten away record in Europe to 12 matches. They have lost their last four in the league and Europe, but make just one enforced change against Clermont following Monday’s 46-14 home defeat by the French champions, Nick Isiekwe replacing Schalk Burger in the back row. Brad Barritt and Richard Wigglesworth are injured. Clermont have won their last 12 matches against English opponents at home in Europe and this week’s victory at Allianz Park was their sixth in nine matches in the competition against Saracens. They have made two changes at forward.
Pool Three
Rob Baxter’s reaction to Exeter’s first defeat since September is to make six changes for the return against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Jack Nowell has his first start for the club since early October and England’s Sam Simmonds replaces Thomas Waldrom at No8. Leinster, bristling with Ireland internationals, make one change, with Josh van der Flier replacing the injured Rhys Ruddock in the back row. They have had a day less to prepare this week after their flight from Bristol on Sunday was a victim of the weather. The earlier match sees Montpellier take on Glasgow, whose race looks run even though they are unbeaten in Europe at the Altrad Stadium in three visits.
Pool Four
Manu Tuilagi returns from a knee injury for only his third start of the year for Leicester’s tilt at redemption against Munster for the second year in a row after a heavy defeat at Welford Road. He will be partnered in the centre by Matt Toomua, who has been out of action since October’s Champions Cup victory against Castres, part of a back division that contains six internationals. The only change up front sees Mike Williams replace Luke Hamilton at wing forward while the Australia hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is set to make his club debut from the bench. Munster make two enforced changes, on the wing and at hooker, while fit again Keith Earls is on the bench. Racing, the 2016 finalists, welcome Castres on Saturday, still without the injured Dan Carter in the tightest of the pools with only five points separating top from bottom.
Pool Five
Francois Louw makes a timely return to Bath’s back row for Saturday’s encounter with Toulon at the Rec in the continued absence of Sam Underhill with concussion and Taulupe Faletau’s long-term knee injury. Paul Grant moves to No8 and the only other change from the side that was within four minutes of winning at Stade Mayol is in the second row where Charlie Ewels replaces Luke Charteris. On the wing, Matt Banahan makes his 250th appearance for the club 11 years after joining. Bath have yet to beat Toulon in three attempts but have not lost by more than five points, while the French club is one of five going into the fourth round unbeaten. Earlier in the day, the Scarlets are in Treviso having won the opening match against the Italian side with two late tries. Scott Williams returns to the midfield in place of Hadleigh Parkes, who is on the bench.
