Preview: European Cup, Round Six
The final round of league action will see the remaining four of the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals will be decided.
Saracens were held to 22-all draw at Scarlets last week, an injury-time Chris Ashton try converted by Owen Farrell sneaking the draw.
Toulon, the 2012 to 2015 champions, stayed in the hunt for top-spot in Pool Three with a bonus-point home triumph over Sale, meaning it all comes down to Saturday's Allianz Park showdown.
"We're glad to get the two points because it's a tough place to come," Ashton said of the draw in Llanelli.
"We've got Toulon now, we like to play in those games and hopefully we can get the win."
Alex Lozowski was the main provider for Saracens from the unfamiliar full-back role in the absence of Alex Goode, added: "Toulon are a big team in Europe and they're coming to our ground.
"We have to have to win to make sure we go through so it's a huge game."
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal was left in no doubt how important the 27-15 victory over Sale was.
"It was crucial to take the five points, it allows us to have our destiny in our own hands," said Boudjellal, who has spent millions attracting some of world rugby's leading players to Toulon.
"Now we must win at Saracens. We'll travel there without any complexes. They're champions of Europe? We've been that three times!"
Toulon's recently-installed English coach Mike Ford added: "We all know what work remains to be done. We're going to the European champions with our fate in our hands."
Going into the final round of group matches, Munster (Pool One), Leinster (Pool Four) and Clermont (Pool Five) have all qualified along with Saracens (Pool Three).
That is not to say there is nothing to play for. Those teams that have already qualified are playing to top their respective pools to guarantee a home draw in the quarterfinals.
Besides them, there are still four places up for grabs in the last eight and there are at least seven teams fighting for the right to be bracketed among the elite clubs in Europe.
Munster, through to the last eight of the tournament for a record 16th time, will guarantee themselves a home quarter with victory over misfiring Racing 92 at their fortress Thomond Park ground.
If Glasgow (14 points) manage to beat Leicester, well beaten by Racing last week, at Welford Road, they will book their ticket to the quarterfinals as a best runner-up for the first time.
However, a losing bonus point for the Scots could possibly be enough depending on how results pan out elsewhere.
A fifth success of their campaign, at Castres, would also guarantee free-scoring Leinster another Irish home quarter.
Both Montpellier (11 points), who are at home against Northampton, and Castres (10 points) are still in the running for a best runner-up spot from Pool Four depending on results elsewhere.
There is a similar story in Pool Five, where Top 14 leaders Clermont are in pole position.
The French team host Exeter (11 points), who remain in contention for a best runner-up spot along with Bordeaux-Begles (10 points), who travel to Ulster.
In Pool Two, Wasps (17 points) will be favourites to win at Zebre and secure their place in the knockout stage.
Wasps had a Dan Robson try at the death to thank as they snatched a 17-14 triumph over four-time champions Toulouse last week.
"The pool is still alive, even Toulouse have something to play for," said Wasps captain Joe Launchbury.
"We're excited about the challenge and we know this win [over Toulouse] won't mean anything if we don't go out to Italy and win."
Pool Two leaders Connacht (18 points) travel to Toulouse (14 points) for a game that promises to be a Round 6 classic.
A victory for Connacht and it's straightforward: the Irish province will be in the quarterfinals for the first time. But a win for Toulouse will leave officials reaching for their calculators.
Pool Updates
Pool One
Munster are through to the last eight of the tournament for a record 16th time and a win over Racing92 at Thomond Park will guarantee them a home quarterfinal. If Glasgow Warriors (14 points) manage to put one over Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, they will book their ticket to the quarterfinals as a best runner-up for the first time. However, a losing bonus point for the Scots could possibly be enough depending on how results pan out elsewhere.
Pool Two
Wasps (17 points) will be favourites to win at Zebre and secure their place in the knockout stage, but the clash of Toulouse (14 points) and Connacht (18 points) at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday promises to be a Round 6 classic. A victory for Connacht and it's straightforward, the Irish province will be in the quarterfinals for the first time, but a win for Toulouse, and the calculators will be out in force. Keep in mind that if it comes to a match points head-to-head between the two clubs, Connacht have four points from their Round One success and Toulouse have one point.
Pool Three
Saracens are also through and a win over RC Toulon at Allianz Park will secure a home quarterfinal for the holders for the second season in a row. But if Toulon manage to hit their best form and snatch an away victory, they will reach the business end of the tournament for the sixth time in seven seasons.
Pool Four
Free-scoring Leinster might be on a roll, but they won't find it easy at Castres where a fifth success of the campaign would guarantee that coveted home quarterfinal. Both Montpellier (11 points), who are at home against Northampton Saints, and Castres (10 points) are still in the running for a best runner-up spot depending on results elsewhere.
Pool Five
Clermont are in pole position here and despite Exeter Chiefs' best intentions at fortress Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday, they are looking good for a home quarterfinal and possibly a No.1 seeding as well. However, both Exeter (11 points) and Bordeaux-Bégles (10 points), who travel to Ulster, remain in contention for a best runner-up spot.
How teams qualify for the quarterfinals:
The five pool winners and the three best-placed runners-up qualify for the quarterfinals, and will be decided as follows:
(a) The pool winner will be the club with the highest number of match points in each pool. The best-placed runners-up will be the three clubs with the highest number of match points out of the five clubs that finish second in their respective pools. For the quarterfinals, the pool winners will be ranked one to five and the best-placed runners-up ranked sixth, seventh and eighth by reference to the number of match points earned.
(b) If two clubs in the same pool are equal on match points at the end of the pool stage, then their ranking will be determined by the results of the two matches played between the relevant clubs as follows:
(i) the club with the greater number of match points from the two matches; or
(ii) if equal, the club with the best aggregate points difference from the two matches; or
(iii) if equal, the club that scored the most tries in the two matches.
(c) If ranking remains unresolved and/or if clubs have not played each other previously in the pool stage, qualification/ranking will be determined as follows:
(i) the best aggregate points difference from the pool stage; or
(ii) if equal, the number of tries scored in the pool stage; or
(iii) if equal, the club with the fewest number of players suspended under Disciplinary Rules in the pool stage; or
(iv) if unresolved, by drawing lots.
The clubs ranked one to four will have home advantage in the quarterfinals as follows:
Quarterfinal One: Team one v teams eight
Quarterfinal Two: Team four v team five
Quarterfinal Three: Team three v team six
Quarterfinal Four: Team two v team seven
We look at all the Round Six matches!
Friday, January 20
Castres Olympique v Leinster
(Stade Pierre Antoine – Kick-off: 20.45; 19.45 GMT; 19.45 UK time)
Leinster have won their last five games against Castres, last losing to the Top 14 outfit in December 2008.
However, they've never beaten them by more than seven points in France.
Castres have won their last two home games in the Champions Cup, and the last time they won more in succession was a four-game winning streak from 2008 to 2010.
Leinster have scored 203 points in the campaign to date, whereas, last season they managed just 82 in the six pool matches.
The last time they scored 200+ pool stage points was in 2005/06 when they totalled 214.
Leinster are the only side with a 100 percent scrum success rate in the competition, winning all 30 on their own ball.
Yannick Caballero has stolen more opposition line-outs (6) than any other player this season – five of his steals came in one game (against Montpellier in Round Four).
The teams:
Castres: 15 Pierre Berard, 14 Julien Caminati, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Florian Vialelle, 11 David Smith, 10 Julien Dumora, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Steve Mafi, 7 Alexandre Bias, 6 Yannick Caballero, 5 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 4 Victor Moreaux, 3 Daniel Kotze, 2 Brice Mach, 1 Antoine Tichit.
Replacements: 16 Jody Jenneker, 17 Mihaita Lazar, 18 Damien Tussac, 19 Loic Jacquet, 20 Anthony Jelonch, 21 Julien Seron, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Thomas Combezou.
Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa (captain), 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Rory O’Loughlin, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Michael Bent, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Rob Kearney.
Referee: Greg Garner (England)
Assistant referees: Tom Foley (England), Paul Dix (England)
TMO: David Rose (England)
Montpellier v Northampton Saints
(Altrad Stadium – Kick-off: 20.45; 19.45 GMT; 19.45 UK time)
Northampton Saints have won each of the three previous meetings between the clubs in European competition, although the Round One match at Franklin's Gardens was tight – 16-14.
Montpellier have lost their last five games in the Champions Cup against Premiership opposition – their last win was a 21-point victory against Sale Sharks in January 2013.
Montpellier's defeat (57-3) to Leinster last weekend was the heaviest in their Champions Cup history.
Northampton have lost their last seven away games against Top 14 opposition.
Stephen Myler has the best goal kicking success rate (93 percent) of any player to attempt 10+ shots at goal this season.
The teams:
Montpellier: 15 Joffrey Michel, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Joseph Tomane, 12 Alexandre Dumoulin, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic White, 8 Akapusi Qera, 7 Kélian Galletier, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Paul Willemse, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Charles Geli, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili.
Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Antoine Guillamon, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 Antoine Battut, 21 Tomas O'Leary, 22 Henry Immelman, 23 Vincent Martin.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Juan Pablo Estelles, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Harry Mallinder, 11 George North, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Ben Nutley, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 James Craig, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Charlie Clare, 1 Ethan Waller.
Replacements: 16 James Fish, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 James Wilson, 23 Ken Pisi.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Gary Conway (Ireland), Dermot Blake (Ireland)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)
Saturday, January 21
Ulster v Bordeaux-Bègles
(Kingspan Stadium – Kick-off: 13.00; 14.00 French time; 13.00 GMT)
Bordeaux-Bègles have won each of the previous two meetings between the clubs by an average margin of 14 points.
Ulster have won eight of their last nine games on home soil against Top 14 opposition by an average margin of 19 points.
Bordeaux have a tackle success rate of 90 percent this season, the best in the competition.
Ulster have the best line-out success rate this season, winning 96 percent of their own throws.
Charles Piutau beat a round high 11 defenders last weekend and he has drawn level with Wesley Fofana of Clermont on 26 defenders beaten for the season.
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Andrew Trimble (captain), 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Dave Shanahan, 8 Sean Reidy, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Robbie Diack, 3 Jonny Simpson, 2 Rory Best, 1 Andrew Warwick
Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Callum Black, 18 Ricky Lutton, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Clive Ross, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Brett Herron, 23 Craig Gilroy
Bordeaux-Bègles: 15 Geoffrey Cros, 14 Nans Ducuing, 13 Jean-Baptiste Dubié, 12 Joe Wakacegu, 11 Blair Connor, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Loann Goujon, 6 Louis Madaule, 5 Berend Botha, 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Marc Clerc, 2 Clément Maynadier, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16 Benat Auzqui, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Joe Edwards, 20 Hugh Chalmers, 21 Julien Audy, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Julien Rey
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Gareth Copsey (England)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Exeter Chiefs
(Stade Marcel-Michelin – Kick-off: 14.00; 13.00 UK time; 13.00 GMT)
Clermont have won four of their five games against Exeter, including each of the last two, and have only once conceded more than 12 points against the Premiership club.
Exeter have won only one of their last five games against Top 14 opposition in the Champions Cup, however, that win was away
against Bordeaux-Begles in Round Four.
Clermont have averaged more turnovers won (9.6) per game this season than any other side in the competition.
Wesley Fofana has made the most clean breaks (13) to date.
Fofana is the only player from a Top 14 club to play every minute of this season's campaign.
Teams:
ASM Clermont Auvergne: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Rémi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Nick Abendanon, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra (captain), 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Peceli Yato, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Arthur Iturria, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Raphael Chaume
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Davit Zirakashvili, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Damien Chouly, 21 Ludovic Radosavljevic, 22 Aurélien Rougerie, 23 Alivereti Raka
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 James Short, 10 Gareth Steenson (captain), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Kai Horstmann, 6 Don Armand, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Ollie Atkins, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Moray Low, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Damian Welch, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Stuart Townsend, 22 Ian Whitten, 23 Joe Simmonds
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips (Ireland), Kieran Barry (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Sale Sharks v Scarlets
(AJ Bell Stadium – Kick-off: 15.15; 15.15 GMT)
Scarlets have won all three of their previous meetings with Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup by an average margin of 11 points.
Sale have won four of their last five home games against Welsh opponents in the tournament, although each of the last two wins were by a single point.
Sale have the lowest goal-kicking success rate (55 percent) in the Champions Cup this season, while Scarlets (93 percent) have the best success rate.
Sam James of Sale is one of just five players to have played every minute this season.
Sale have lost their last 16 matches in the tournament, averaging just 10 points per match.
Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Michael Haley, 14 Paulo Odogwu, 13 Will Addison (captain), 12 Mark Jennings, 11 Josh Charnley, 10 AJ MacGinty,9 Mike Phillips, 8 Laurence Pearce, 7 Magnus Lund, 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 George Nott, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 James Flynn, 18 Halani Aulika, 19 Jon Mills, 20 Ben Curry, 21 James Mitchell, 22 Sam James, 23 Thomas Curry
Scarlets: 15 Aled Thomas, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes (captain), 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rob Evans
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Tom Price, 20 Will Boyde, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Tom Williams, 23 Steff Hughes
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Maxime Chalon (France), Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)
Saracens v RC Toulon
(Allianz Park – Kick-off: 15.15; 16.15 French time; 15.15 GMT)
Saracens have won their last two pool games against Toulon in European competition, though they lost two knockout games in between – 2013 semifinal and 2014 Final.
Saracens have won their last 11 games at Allianz Park, and have not lost at home since hosting Toulouse in October 2013.
They've averaged 42 points per game in that run.
Saracens' draw with Scarlets in Round Five saw them miss out on breaking the record for most consecutive wins in the competition (still tied with Munster on 13).
Saracens are one of just two clubs (Munster are the other) yet to concede a first half try this season.
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Lozowksi, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Michael Rhodes, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 2 Jamie George, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Tim Streather, 23 Nathan Earle
RC Toulon: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Laurent DelBoulbes
Replacements: 16 Jean Charles Orioli, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Marcel Van der Merwe, 19 Liam Gill, 20 Jocelino Suta, 21 Pierre Bernard, 22 Jonathan Pelissie, 23 Samu Manoa
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ian Davies (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)
Leicester Tigers v Glasgow Warriors
(Welford Road – Kick-off: 17.30; 17.30 GMT)
Glasgow ended a three-game losing streak against Leicester Tigers with a 29-point victory in Round One.
Tigers have lost only one of their last 34 games on home soil, although they have faced Scottish opposition only once in that span (Edinburgh in 2007/08).
Leicester have scored just three tries this season, fewer than any side in the competition.
Glasgow have the lowest line-out success rate this season, winning just 80 percent of their own throws so far.
Glasgow have the two leading tacklers in captain, Jonny Gray (72), and Ryan Wilson (62).
Teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait , 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Peter Betham, 12 Jack Roberts, 11 Tom Brady, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Luke Hamilton, 7 Lachlan McCaffrey, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (captain), 1 Greg Bateman
Replacements: 16 Harry Thacker, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Pat Cilliers, 19 Dom Barrow, 20 Will Evans, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Matt Smith
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Lee Jones, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Ryan Wilson, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray (captain), 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Fraser Brown, 1 Gordon Reid
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Alex Allan, 18 D’arcy Rae, 19 Brian Alainu’uese, 20 Chris Fusaro, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Nick Grigg, 23 Peter Murchie
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas (France), Thomas Dejean (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Munster v Racing 92
(Thomond Park – Kick-off: 17.30; 18.30 French time; 17.30 GMT)
Munster have won their last two games against Racing 92.
Racing have never lost all three away pool matches in European competition in the same season.
CJ Stander is one of just two forwards (Jamie Heaslip is the other) to play every minute of this season's Champions Cup to date.
Munster have conceded just three tries and are yet to concede one in the opening hour of play in the pool stage.
Racing have kicked a competition-low two penalties this season, with both those coming in the opening 20 minutes of action.
Teams:
Munster: TBC
Racing 92: TBC
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant referees: Matteo Liperini (Italy), Simone Boaretto (Italy)
TMO: Allan Falzone (Italy)
Sunday, January 22
Toulouse v Connacht
(Stade Ernest Wallon – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)
After previous defeats to Ulster and to Connacht, Toulouse are looking to avoid a third consecutive home loss against Irish opposition.
Connacht won in Toulouse in Round Three in 2013 having scored just three points in total on their two previous Champions Cup games in France.
Connacht top the charts for carries, metres, clean breaks and defenders beaten this season.
Connacht are the only team in the competition to average more than 20 minutes of possession per game so far (20 minutes, 13 seconds).
Toulouse have averaged 24.8 offloads per game in this campaign, no other side has averaged 20.
Teams:
Toulouse: 15 Yoann Huget, 14 Arthur Bonneval, 13 Yann David , 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Paul Perez, 10 Jean-Marc Doussain, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Francois Cros, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Joe Tekori, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacement: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Gurthro Steenkamp, 19 Talalelei Gray, 20 Piula Faasalele, 21 Gillian Galan, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Alexis Palisson
Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Peter Robb, 12 Craig Ronaldson, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 John Muldoon(captain), 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Nepia Fox-Matamua, 5 James Cannon, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 John Andress, 19 Sean O’Brien, 20 Naulia Dawai, 21 John Cooney, 22 Tom Farrell, 23 Danie Poolman
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Peter Allan (England)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)
Zebre v Wasps
(Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – Kick-off: 16.15; 15.15 UK time; 15.15 GMT)
When the clubs met in Round One, Wasps recorded their biggest win in the Champions Cup (82-14).
Zebre are still on the hunt for their first win on home soil in the tournament, having lost by an average margin of 27 points in their eight such fixtures to date.
Wasps have won 21 of 22 European games against Italian opposition – the solitary defeat came in 2001/02 against Benetton
Treviso.
Wasps have the lowest scrum success rate (79 percent) in the competition this season.
Zebre have the lowest tackle success rate this season, completing just 80 percent of their tackles so far.
Teams:
Zebre: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Lloyd Greeff, 13 Mattia Bellini, 12 Tommaso Boni, 11 Guglielmo Palazzani, 10 Carlo Canna (captain), 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Maxime Mbandà, 5 George Biagi, 4 Joshua Furno, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements: 16 Tommaso D’Apice, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Carlo Engelbrecht, 22 Serafin Bordoli, 23 Andries Van Schalkwyk
Wasps: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Frank Halai, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Guy Thompson, 7 James Haskell, 6 Ashley Johnson, 5 Matt Symons, 4 Joe Launchbury (captain), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Simon McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Nathan Hughes, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 James Gaskell, 20 Thomas Young, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Josh Bassett
Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Jonny Erskine (Ireland)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Source: @ChampionsCup & Agence France-Presse
