Exiles aim to build on strong home foundations

London Irish v Scarlets (Pool 6, 3pm)

Ahead of today's game, Toby Booth's Exiles are in something of the pink following their opening night 12-9 success over champions Leinster at the RDS Showground in Dublin.

This afternoon they face the Scarlets at the Madejski Stadium, and their director of rugby will not countenance the prospect of being left red-faced on home ground in Reading.

"History in the Heineken Cup signifies that you've got to win your home games if you're going to progress," said Booth.

He has named Ryan Lamb as his starting fly-half against the Scarlets, who opened with a fine win of their own, 24-12 at home to Brive.

Harlequins v Toulouse (Pool 5, 6pm)

No rest for the England boys. Nick Easter, Danny Care and Ugo Monye all return as Quins bid to get some points on the board after the blank of their 20-6 loss in Cardiff a week ago.

It will, of course, be the first Heineken Cup game at the Stoop since that bloody quarter-final against Leinster that everybody keeps banging on about. Toulouse, three times winners, will expect a sterner test than Sale gave them last Sunday.

Biarritz v Gloucester (Pool 2, 1.35pm)

The Cherry and Whites struggled to pick off the Dragons at Kingsholm in their pool opener, squeaking home 19-17. They have Jake Boer on the bench and also Carlos Spencer, the former All Black having been missing since pre-season with a broken toe.

Viadana v Leicester (Pool 3, 1.30pm)

After completing their "great escape" at Welford Road last Sunday, snatching a 32-32 draw, and very nearly a victory, from a 28-6 deficit, the Tigers have an "Italian job" on their hands this afternoon.

The English champions retain the same makeshift backline, with Billy Twelvetrees at No 12, but make changes up front. Lock Geoff Parling makes his first start since his move from Newcastle Falcons.

"In theory, we dropped a point at home last week, so we have to make sure we get maximum points," said Richard Cockerill, Leicester's director of rugby.

Edinburgh v Ulster (Pool 4, 3.45pm)

Murrayfield has been a banana skin of a pool stage venue for Leinster and Leicester in recent times, but Edinburgh might not be in the best of sorts, having suffered a 31-7 stuffing against Stade Français in Paris a week ago.

Still, Ulster will tread warily, eight days on from their emphatic 26-12 victory against Bath at Ravenhill. "Edinburgh is a place where we always have a tight game," back row man Stephen Ferris said.

"They are a dangerous side. We need to close them down."

Munster v Treviso (Pool 1, 1.35pm)

Treviso will trump their shock 9-8 home win against Perpignan if they manage a follow-up victory against a Munster side smarting from defeat against Northampton. Denis Fogarty replaces Jerry Flannery at hooker for the Irish province.

Brive v Leinster (Pool 6, 3.45pm)

A Brive new world for the champions, who are licking the wounds of their opening night loss at home to London Irish. Lion Rob Kearney returns to the No 15 shirt.

Tomorrow:

Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne (Pool 3, 12.45pm).

Bath v Stade Français (Pool 4, 3pm).