Pool Two/Agen v Edinburgh: Edinburgh will brace themselves for a big French welcome from Agen, led by captain and fullback Luc Lafforgue, at Stade Armandie.
A rough, tough band with a sprinkling of international players, Agen came sixth in last season's French Championship to qualify ahead of Castres. French outhalf François Gelez and prop Alessio Galasso add some international weight to the side, while Edinburgh go into the match without their injured Scottish winger and captain Chris Patterson, who hobbled off last week in their victory over Munster.
That win alone over the Cup holders should give the Scots, for whom Wales caretaker coach Lyn Howells has taken over this season, some confidence. But home advantage for Agen may give them an opening win.
AGEN: L Lafforgue (capt); M Ahotaeiloa, C Stoltz, A Mignardi, S Mirande; F Gelez, N Morales; P van Niekerk, J Narjissi, A Galasso, A Badenhorst, K Koulemine, M Lievremont, C Yukes, T Soucaze. Replacements: A Tiatia, E Guinazu, F Culine, O Fonua, M Carabignac, J Miquel, D Vainqueur.
EDINBURGH: H Southwell; B Cairns, M di Rollo, R Dewey, S Webster; P Godman, M Blair; A Jacobsen, D Hall, C Smith, M Mustchin, S Murray (capt), A Strokosch, R Rennie, D Callam. Replacements: A Kelly, A Dickinson, F Pringle, A MacDonald, G Laidlaw, D Hodge, M Pyke.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
POOL THREE: OSPREYS v SALE SHARKS
This is a huge opening game for the Welsh and English sides, with Premiership winners Sale hoping to win the group despite the lurking presence of Stade Français. With Calvisano the most likely whipping boys and Stade probable pool favourites, Sale, particularly, will see the need for early points if they are to make a dent in this pool.
The Duncan Jones-led Ospreys have players of quality such as the halfback pairing of Gavin Henson and Justin Marshall but seventh in the Celtic League last year doesn't quite measure up to Premiership champions. Sale, with Jason Robinson operating at fullback and Charlie Hodgson at 10, have just come off a win against London Irish, allowing coach Philippe Saint Andre go into the game with some confidence.
OSPREYS: L Byrne; N Walker, S Parker, A Bishop, S Williams; G Henson, J Marshall; D Jones (capt), B Williams, A Jones, B Cockbain, I Evans, F Tiatia, S Tandy, R Jones. Replacements: H Bennett, P James, A Jones, J Thomas, J Spice, S Connor, J Hook.
SALE SHARKS: J Robinson (capt); M Cueto, M Taylor, E Seveali'i, O Ripol; C Hodgson, S Martens; A Sheridan, S Bruno, B Evans, C Jones, D Schofield, J White, M Lund, I Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: S Turner, B Stewart, N Briggs, S Chabal, C Day, R Wigglesworth, D Larrechea.
Referee: Joel Jutge (France)
POOL FIVE: LLANELLI v LONDON IRISH
With Llanelli performing up at the top end of the Magners Celtic League, along with pool rivals Ulster, and London Irish seriously hampered with a string of injuries to several key players, including former Leinster second row Bob Casey, the Welsh side will be happy to have got the Exiles first up and at home.
London Irish coach Brian Smith was bemoaning the fact his team had very little pre-season after last year's hectic run, which took them to the European Challenge Cup final and third in the Premiership. He will, however, be relieved that captain Mike Catt is back to lead the side.
The free-running Llanelli, however, have lost just one out of five of their previous league games, which should put them in fine fettle for an early win in Reading.
LONDON IRISH: M Horak; T Ojo, S Mapusua, M Catt (capt), S Tagicakibau; R Flutey, R Rees; N Hatley, D Paice, R Skuse, K Roche, J Hudson, A McCullen, D Danaher, J Leguizamon. Replacements: T Lea'aetoa, D Coetzee, D Murphy, O Magne, G Tiesi, P Hodgson, D Armitage.
LLANELLI: C Thomas; D James, R King, G Evans, M Jones; S Jones, D Peel; I Thomas, M Rees, C Dunlea, V Cooper, I Afeaki, S Easterby (capt), G Thomas, A Popham.
Replacements: A Gravelle, D Manu, A Jones, N Thomas, C Stuart-Smith, D Daniel, B Davies.
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France).
POOL SIX: BORDERS v OVERMACH PARMA
Parma became the 54th team to play in the Heineken European Cup when they beat the Dragons 24-15 in a play-off at Rodney Parade, while Reivers got here by securing ninth place in the Celtic League. With that in mind Parma go into the match with some trepidation, although they do have number eight Manoa Vosawai back playing.
But Reivers are facing their own tough times and, prior to beating Leinster last Friday, had lost four successive league matches. If the Italians are to do any damage in this pool this season, they might look to this opening match to begin.
The Scottish team have never won successive home matches in the competition and have never won away from home.
BORDER REIVERS: C MacRae; S Danielli, B MacDougall, G Law, N De Luca; S Jones, C Cusiter (capt); G Kerr, R Ford, E Kalman, O Palepoi, C Hamilton, J Dalziel, S Gray, K Brown.
Replacements: S Scott, B Douglas, S Newlands, A Miller, B McKerchar, M Robertson, B Daniel.
OVERMACH PARMA: A Little; M Neethling, E Galon, TBC, N Mazzucato; F Mazzariol, M Frati; G Fontana, B Masetti, T Paoletti, D Guiness, L Pascu (capt), P Sciarretta, M Barbieri, M Vosawai.
Replacements: A De Marchi, L Zanini, F Minello, J Soffredini, A Canale, A Orsi, R Robuschi.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).
