English champions Harlequins kick off their Heineken Cup campaign against Biarritz at the Stoop on Saturday.
The 2011 Amlin Challenge Cup winners host the two-time Heineken Cup finalists and reigning Challenge Cup champions in arguably the most important clash in Pool Three.
Harlequins failed to reach the knock-out stages in last season's Heineken Cup despite beating four-time winners Toulouse away from home as they stumbled at the last hurdle against Connacht (with whom have have been drawn again) on the last day of the pool stages.
Harlequins have never faced Biarritz in the tournament but skipper Chris Robshaw is well aware of the importance to get off to a winning start.
"We want to push through to that quarter-final stage. It's all about winning your first couple of games. As soon as you let those slip away you're playing catch up," he told the ERC website.
Biarritz made a flying start to the Top 14 season but have lost their last four games.
They have named former Crusaders and Leinster playmaker Mat Berquist at fly-half while ex-England full-back Iain Balshaw also starts.
France internationals Imanol Harinordoquy and Dimitri Yachvili are absent due to injury while Damien Traille is on the bench.
Teams
Harlequins:15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care,8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Rob Buchanan, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Seb Stegmann.
Biarritz: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Dane Haylett-Petty, 12 Seremaïa Burotu, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 Yann Lesgourgues, 8 Talalelei Gray, 7 Wenceslas Lauret, 6 Magnus Lund, 5 Thibault Dubarry, 4 Erik Lund, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Arnaud Heguy, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements:16 Benoit August, 17 Lodewicus Blaauw, 18 Thomas Synaeghel, 19 Pelu Taele, 20 Benoit Guyot, 21 Julien Peyrelongue, 22 Damien Traille, 23 Benoît Baby.
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The entire All Blacks apparel line has been updated for 2013/14. Check out the New Zealand All Blacks polo.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Gilbert Blitz 8S rugby cleat is a great cleat at a great price of $69.99. Get a new pair of cleats today.
A cool looking all black rugby cleat with the high performance adidas is known for. Get in the Gear!
Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
$29.99
The All Blacks Performance t-shirt is black with hints of blue from the training jersey. Very Cool.
The New Zealand All Blacks training jersey for 2013/14. Get in the Gear!
The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
