Pool 1: Castres Olympic v Cardiff Blues
Castres did well to earn a defensive bonus point away to Northampton Saints last weekend, but how they must have rued letting slip a golden chance to flee with a precious victory after a string of missed kicks. The return of metronomic full-back Romain Teulet should ensure there's no repeat of that profligacy for their home match against Cardiff Blues in Pool 1, with 'Robocop' looking to aid his side to a necessary home win. Cardiff began with the narrowest of home wins against Edinburgh last weekend (18-17), so this group looks set to be a hugely tight affair with bonus points likely to be play a key role in which teams progress. Bearing that in mind Castres have a twin objective for their Friday night match - firstly to win, and secondly to deny Cardiff a defensive bonus. If they can achieve those two aims then their dreams of qualification for the knockout stage will well and truly be alive.
Verdict: Castres Olympic win
Other pool match: Edinburgh v Northampton Saints
R1 results: Northampton Saints 18 Castres 14; Cardiff Blues 18 Edinburgh 17
 

Pool 2: Racing-Métro 92 v Clermont Auvergne
Early in the week this looked like it could be one of the game's of Round 2, but that has now been thrown into doubt following Clermont's decision to make 11 changes from the side which beat Saracens 25-10 in Round 1. 'Les Jaunards' deny they're sending a reserve team to Paris, but how else should one interpret Vern Cotter's decision to leave out the likes of skipper Aurélien Rougerie, South African centre Marius Joubert, and the first-choice half-back pairing of Morgan Parra and Brock James? Jamie Cudmore's absence was admittedly forced on Clermont after the Canadian lock picked up an eight-week ban, but the other changes hint at a decision to rest players rather go all out for the win. Not that Racing will care overly about that as they have their own injury problems due to the absence of Springbok Francois Steyn and Puma Juan Martin Hernandez. The former's absence means Englishman Dan Scarborough starts at full-back, while the latter's enables Jonathan Wisniewski to come back in at No 10 after being rested for last weekend's 38-22 defeat at Leinster. Sebastienn Chabal starts at number eight, with Lionel Nallet skippering the side from the second row, alongside Jone Qovu. Racing will be desperate to register their maiden Heineken Cup win after last week's Irish humbling, and will also draw comfort from their recent 28-17 home win in the league against Cotter's outfit.
Verdict: Racing-Métro 92 to win, but Clermont to claim a defensive bonus
Other pool match: Saracens v Leinster
R1 results: Leinster 38 Racing-Métro 22; Clermont Auvergne 25 Saracens 10

Pool 3: Munster v Toulon
England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been left on the bench by Toulon - as expected - as Philippe Saint-André re-jigs his side their trip to two-time winners Munster. Argentine Felipe Contepomi thus comes in as the starting fly-half, alongside fit-again scrum-half Pierre Mignoni, while club captain Joe Van Niekerk also returns from injury in the back row. Van Niekerk will start at number eight, with George Smith and Joe El-Abd named as the starting flankers. Toulon have won every game so far this season when El-Abd has started, but emerging from their trip to Thomond Park with a victory may be beyond them. Paul Sackey gets another run out on the wing after last weekend's late match-winning try, while Carl Hayman is also brought back after missing the home win against Ospreys.
Verdict: Munster to win
Other pool match: Ospreys v London Irish
R1 results: Toulon 19 Ospreys 14; London Irish 23 Munster 17

Pool 4: Biarritz Olympic v Ulster Rugby
As with last season Biarritz have the chance to take early control of their group following a crucial away win (at Bath) in Round 1. On Sunday they welcome Ulster to the Parc des Sports Aguilera with the Basques hot favourites to make it two wins from two in front of their passionate and colourful supporters. Once more the kicking of Dimitri Yachvili will prove integral to their fortunes - be it out of hand or place-kicking - but last season's runners-up also have a formidable pack and a speed to burn in their back line as they prepare to host an Ulster side which swept away Aironi in Round 1. An attacking bonus point is certainly not out of the question as they seek to dominate Pool 4 and take the pressure of their latter group games. 
Verdict: Biarritz to win
Other pool match: Aironi Rugby v Bath Rugby
R1 results: Ulster Rugby 30 Aironi Rugby 6; Bath Rugby 11 Biarritz Olympic 12

Pool 5: Perpignan v Benetton Treviso
It's going too far to say this is a grudge match, but Perpignan's 9-8 defeat at Benetton Treviso effectively ended their interest in last season's competition. The Catalans did go on to win the re-match 34-6 later in the group stages, but the damage had been done by then, as any Perpignan fan will be quick to tell you. Treviso put up a splendid fight before going down narrowly at home to the mighty Leicester Tigers last weekend, so the hosts know this will be no cake-walk, and their lack of a single bonus point so far in Top 14 hints that it might be another nervous afternoon down at the Stade Aimé Giral. International centre Maxime Mermoz is back to give added quality in a back line that has been strangely misfiring so far this season, and the Catalans will be hoping for a positive start as they try to make amends of last weekend's 43-34 loss at the Scarlets.
Verdict: Perpignan to win  
Other pool match: Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
R1 results: Scarlets 43 Perpignan 34; Benetton Treviso 29 Leicester Tigers 34

Pool 6: Newport Gwent Dragons v Stade Toulousain
defending champions Stade Toulousain travel to Wales with relief etched in their minds after a nervous 18-16 home win against Wasps last weekend. head coach Guy Noves has, like other French coaches, elected to rotate his squad, although Stade Toulousain differ from most other sides in that even their reserves tend to be full-blown internationals. Thus, Argentine scrum-half comes in for Byron Kelleher, while Fijian flyer Vilimoni Delasau replaces the rested Vincent Clerc. Maxime Médard is switched to full-back with Clement Poitrenaud moved to the bench, while Yohan Montes replaces Census Johnston in the front row. But this is now weakened outfit that will take on Newport, with Noves retaining David Skrela at fly-half, while France and Stade captain Thierry Dusautoir will lead his troops in a back row that also features Louis Picamoles and Jean Bouilhou. Toulouse should have enough to get the win that will set them up for qualification, but there will certainly be a need for improved handling after last weekend's error-strewn win against Wasps.
Verdict: Stade Toulousain win 
Other pool match: London Wasps v Glasgow Warriors
R1 results: Glasgow Warriors 21 Newport 13; Stade Toulousain 18 Wasps 16