European Rugby Champions Cup preview: Joe Launchbury and James Haskell back to add to Wasps' sting

WEEKEND PREVIEW

Joe Launchbury’s return from injury at lock will give Wasps a boost in challenging for a last-eight place (Getty Images)

Wasps v Leinster

(Saturday, 3.15pm)

Wasps would probably have ended Toulon’s reign as European lords and masters had they been at full strength last weekend, so the return of forwards as influential as Joe Launchbury and James Haskell to today’s European Champions Cup starting line-up should give them the last fraction of oomph they need to secure a quarter-final place. They will be stronger on the bench too, now Jake Cooper-Woolley and Nathan Hughes are back after injury.

Not that Leinster, kings of the northern hemisphere until Toulon usurped them, are likely to be pushovers. The Irishmen travel with an all-international combination, headed by four Lions Test players in Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonny Sexton and Jamie Heaslip. Already six feet under in the pool of death, it would be just like them to haunt the hell out of their English rivals.

Scarlets v Northampton

(Saturday, 5.30pm)

Scarlets have lost all five of their group games, which leaves them in very sad company indeed: namely the hapless Italians of Treviso. Under the circumstances, Northampton could and should win this one – especially as they can call on forwards as snarly as Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood.

The question is whether the Midlanders will rattle up the try-scoring bonus point they are likely to need to make the knockout stage. A long way short of thrilling with ball in hand, they have picked the promising Harry Mallinder ahead of Luther Burrell at inside-centre and Tom Kessell at scrum-half rather than the club captain, Lee Dickson.

Exeter v Ospreys

(Sunday, 3.15pm)

All eyes, two of which belong to England head coach Eddie Jones, will be fixed on brilliant back-row prospect Sam Underhill, who starts on the blind-side flank for the visitors. The teenager has red-rose potential oozing from every pore, but as he is studying in Cardiff and playing his rugby down Swansea way, the Welsh like the look of him too.

If Ospreys win, they qualify. Simple as that. And with Dan Biggar, Paul James, Scott Baldwin, Justin Tipuric and the magnificent Alun Wyn Jones on duty against an injury-hit West Country side, they surely have a squeak. There again, Exeter have not lost in Devon for more than a year.

Bath v Toulon

(Saturday, 3.15pm)

Two of the more nakedly ambitious clubs, two of the more controversial owner- financiers, a liberal sprinkling of some of the most talked-about players… this one has its attractions, even though Bath are out of the quarter-final running. If additional spice is needed, Steve Meehan will provide it. The former head coach at the Rec now runs the Toulon attack and will be in point-proving mood.

The champions travel with their usual rock-star band of imports: James O’Connor, Ma’a Nonu, Bryan Habana, Quade Cooper, Duane Vermeulen. Bath look vulnerable up front, but the back-line glitterati will be present and correct.

Toulouse v Saracens

(Saturday, 1pm)

Saracens can afford to lose by hundreds and still look forward to a home quarter-final, hence the selection of Owen Farrell, Jamie George and the Vunipola brothers on the bench. Toulouse, embarrassed by the prospect of a worst-ever Euro showing, will be playing for pride.

Stade Français v Leicester

(Sunday, 1pm)

This cross-Channel spat has more riding on it, even though Leicester have already joined Sarries in the last eight. Victory for the Tigers will help secure a decent draw, while the Parisians have to win well to guarantee progress.