Biggar: Hopes to ruffle a few feathers

It will be the teams' seventh European meeting, and one that would leave Leicester struggling to qualify from Pool Two if they come unstuck.

Fly-half Biggar has proved key to a four-game unbeaten run the Ospreys have enjoyed since losing their first three matches this season, and they opened European proceedings last week with a bonus point victory over Treviso.

"In terms of atmosphere and tradition you won't find many better grounds than Welford Road," he said.

"It's a lot easier to get yourself up for a game with 24,000 people in the Heineken Cup at Leicester, rather than 5,000 people in a bigger stadium.

"But with all the respect we have for Leicester we are going up there to really try to ruffle a few feathers."

Biggar's battle opposite England number 10 Toby Flood is likely to have a considerable bearing on which team takes the points, and he has huge respect for his rival fly-half.

"Personally, I rate him as one of the best in Britain. He doesn't get quite the credit he deserves," Biggar added.

"He's a great player, perfect for Leicester. He knows their game plan inside out. He gives them what they want, and that's directness and honesty.

"He knows exactly where people need to be, and that is very under-rated in a fly-half. He's one of the best in Europe, and I am looking forward to a head-to-head with him.

"Perhaps there are similarities between myself and Toby, but I would love to be as good as him. If I can get to his level I will be happy, but I've still got a lot to work on and learn.

"I suppose we are both authoritative in some sort of way, and it will be a great battle between us. If our pack gets on the front foot it will be a difficult day for him, and vice-versa."

Sale Sharks head to Montpellier in Pool Six on Sunday after claiming a thrilling 34-33 victory over Cardiff Blues last Sunday that halted a run of six successive losses.

"We've been on the wrong end of recent results," said Sale rugby director Bryan Redpath, who has recalled fly-half Danny Cipriani following his starring role off the bench six days ago.

"I said to the players at half-time (against the Blues) that we were staring down the barrel of a gun. We had to go out with the right mindset to win the game.

"It's been a tough six weeks. We've taken a lot of flak, quite rightly so in many ways, but hopefully we can turn the corner. The next two games are huge for us."

Life is not about to get any easier for the Blues, who face an Arms Park appointment with Jonny Wilkinson's Pool Six favourites Toulon tomorrow.

The Toulon line-up also includes former Blues prop Gethin Jenkins, while their enviable strength-in-depth is underlined through a replacements' bench that features Andrew Sheridan, Carl Hayman and Simon Shaw.

"It's been a big change in terms of the lifestyle and culture, and the rugby is completely different," said Jenkins, ahead of his Cardiff return.

"I've enjoyed it, although I haven't played as many games as I would have liked, but I am getting used to the surroundings.

"I am raring to go now, and with the autumn internationals with Wales coming up I am really looking forward to it.

"With some of those great players you learn something off them every day and, for me, it's just a case of getting more games under my belt and getting used to the style of rugby out in France."

In tomorrow's other Heineken game, Pool One rivals Munster and Edinburgh meet at Thomond Park, while Wasps continue their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign away to Italian minnows Mogliano.