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The 2017-2018 European Champions Cup kicks-off this weekend. Involved are the qualified teams from the Aviva Premiership, Top 14 and Guinness Pro 14.
This season’s opening match will be played in Northern Ireland. Ulster play host to English club, the Wasps. Named on the bench for the home side is Callum Black. The uncapped prop is eligible to play for the USA.
Two teams who disappointed last season open the action on Saturday. Racing 92 host the Leicester Tigers, doing so with Juan Imhoff continuing to play out of position at fullback. Former Puma Manuel Carizza will feature as a replacement second-rower.
In London the Harlequins host La Rochelle. Such has been the form of both teams over the past year that this is very much an unpredictable fixture. Involved from the Americas will be Marland Yarde. The English international was born in the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia.
Ohio native Sam Underhill starts for Bath who host Treviso. The flanker made his debut for England against Argentina this past June. Canadian-Italian Robert Barbieri starts for the Italian side, playing No 8. Also starting is Juan Ignacio Brex. The center is uncapped.
English champions the Exeter Chiefs host Scotland’s finest, the Glasgow Warriors. The fixture is the final Saturday game. Starting for the Warriors will be Tommy Seymour. The leading Scottish international winger comes from Tennessee.
Sunday’s opening match will be in Tarn. Castres play host to Munster, doing so with players from Canada, Argentina and Uruguay all named in the starting line-up. Taylor Paris will play on the right wing, Benjamín Urdapilleta at fly half and Rodrigo Capó Ortega in the second-row.
Also playing in France will be Toulon vs Scarlets. The home side has named two Argentine players to start as flankers. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe will play left flanker while Facundo Isa is to play right. Speculation continues that the latter will return to Los Pumas for the November tour.
In England the Northampton Saints host Aviva Premiership rivals Saracens. The visitors have named Marcelo Bosch and Chris Wyles in their starting line-up. Also to play is Juan Figallo who is to do so as a replacement prop.
The final match of the weekend will take place in Wales. The Pro 14 champions welcome French champions Clermont Auvergne. Included in the 23 is Patricio Fernández. He is covering fly half and fullback.
