Quins look to put Gloucester on a precipice
Weekend Preview
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gloucester v Harlequins
(Pool 6, today, 3.40pm)
All-English matches are not usually the sexiest fixtures in a Heineken Cup context, but this one is a glaring exception: the West Countrymen know they must win following last week's narrow defeat in Toulouse while the Londoners, unbeaten across three competitions, are fully aware of the opportunity to push a serious rival to the very edge of the cliff.
And just in case there is a half-interested England coach hanging around with a couple of hours to spare, there will be any number of home-grown Test wannabes on show. Sharples, Trinder, Burns, Turner-Hall, Marler...it should be quite something.
Biarritz v Saracens
(Pool 5, today 1.30pm)
The Premiership champions travel to the Basque country without the suspended hooker Schalk Brits – a major loss, without question – but with World Cup-winning Springbok captain John Smit able to slip, or rather wedge, his outsized frame into the gap, all is not lost. They have the exceptional youngster Jamie George as back-up, too. Biarritz, no mean performers at this level of rugby, are not in so fortunate a position when it comes to making light of bad news. Dimitri Yachvili, that master tactician, is injured, and there is no one in south-west France who imagines Luix Roussarie is remotely as good.
Leicester v Ulster
(Pool 4, today, 6.00pm )
Leicester types have long memories, so it may be that they have yet to forgive Ulster for sticking 33 unanswered points on them at Ravenhill during the 2003-04 tournament. Ben Youngs, the button-bright scrum-half whose light went out during the World Cup, has regained full fitness and will be used off the bench, while three first-choice members of the England pack – Dan Cole, Louis Deacon and Tom Croft – start in the Tigers' eight. Ulster? They have the outside-half Ian Humphreys, a one-time Leicester player who knows all the kicking angles at Welford Road.
Bath v Montpellier
(Pool 3, tomorrow, 3.00pm )
Runners-up in last season's Top 14, the French side travel in serious strength: Martin Bustos Moyano is a top-notch marksman, Francois Trinh-Duc can win matches on his own, and any back row boasting the mighty Georgian ball-carrier Mamuka Gorgodze demands respect. Bath badly need a victory tomorrow, having messed up so majestically in Glasgow. World Cup winner Stephen Donald starts, as does the Springbok flanker Francois Louw and the recently-retired England skipper Lewis Moody. Hang on to your hats.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments