Montpellier v Cardiff Blues
After last week's defeat to the Blues, Montpellier now face an uphill battle to reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, and coach Jake White knows exactly where the problem lies.
Despite leading in both their away matches against Danny Wilson's men and Harlequins, Montpellier have slipped in the second half and conceded far too many tries to expect to win matches.
White admits that a spot in the last eight is unlikely, but is hoping to use the remainder of the competition to gel his squad.
And the team he has selected for the return fixture against the Blues has a strong feel to it. Skipper Fulgence Ouedraogo is back, while Nic White and Demetri Catrakilis will form a new half-back pairing.
South African tighthead Jannie du Plessis will also make his debut for the club after being named in the starting lineup.
The Blues are still without Sam Warburton but can count on Josh Navidi at tighthead, while Jarrod Evans has been given the job of running the show from fly-half.
Thursday, December 17th, kick-off 19:45
Montpellier: 15 Anthony Floch, 14 Julien Malzieu, 13 Timoci Nagusa, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Marvin O'Connor, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic White, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Charles Géli, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 4 Robins Tchale Watchou, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 7 Antoine Battut, 8 Akapusi Qera
Replacements: 16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Wiaan Liebenberg, 21 Ben Lucas, 22 Anthony Tuitavake, 23 Pierre Bérard
Cardiff Blues: 15 Rhys Patchell, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Tom James, 10 Jarrod Evans, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Tau Filise, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Lou Reed, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Josh Navidi, 8 Manoa Vosawai
Replacements: 16 Ethan Lewis, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 James Down, 20 Josh Turnbull, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Tom Isaacs, 23 Blaine Scully
Edinburgh v London Irish
While they are still looking for a first win in the Premiership, London Irish have been much more impressive in Europe, and picked up a morale-boosting win in the reverse fixture at the Madejski Stadium last week.
Andrew Fenby starts again after scoring a hat-trick last time out, while Darren Allinson and Shane Geraghty will combine in the half-backs.
In the back row Blair Cowan will go up against compatriot John Hardie in a battle of the Scotland flankers.
The winner of this game will have their destiny in their own hands before the final pair of matches against Agen and Grenoble.
Friday, December 18th, kick-off 19:30
Edinburgh: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Michael Allen, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Phil Burleigh, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 Ross Ford, 3 WP Nel, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Alex Toolis, 6 Mike Coman, 7 John Hardie, 8 Cornell Du Preez
Replacements: 16 Neil Cochrane, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Jamie Ritchie, 20 Magnus Bradbury, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Andries Strauss, 23 Jack Cuthbert
London Irish: 15 Topsy Ojo, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Andrew Fenby, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Darren Allinson, 1 Tom Court, 2 Gerard Ellis, 3 Ben Franks, 4 Eoin Sheriff, 5 Nic Rouse, 6 Blair Cowan, 7 Conor Gilsenan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus
Replacements: 16 Jimmy Stevens, 17 Tom Smallbone, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 David Sisi, 20 Joe Trayfoot, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Chris Noakes, 23 Fergus Mulchrone
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