9 great reasons to watch European Rugby this weekend

From threats, to team news, spinning decks to defenders and the continued lusting after a certain Irishman at ‘Quins.

Ulster hope to exorcise the ghosts of Twickenham..

… and Munster and Leinster won’t be far away.

Ruan, you didn’t forget your boots, did ya? ©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd

Three of our provinces will be traipsing back and forth through Heathrow this weekend, but the most eyes will be on Ulster.

Twickenham may not be pushed to capacity, but Ulster will and Mark Anscombe’s impressive first season hinges on how they perform at the scene of their Heineken Cup final defeat.

T-Bowe will be there building up a sweat

Steady, ladies.

©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

And did we mention Sean O’Brien?

It’s a full three weeks since The Tullow Tank was let loose to cause wanton destruction. Let ‘im at it.

‘Stand back Sean number two, I’ll show you how to carry.’ ©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

James Downey’s gonna stop hiding behind ROG

©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Leinster will find someone to play mauls with

©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

We all get to ogle Conor O’Shea some more

Go on, Conor. You’ll take the job, won’t you? Ya will…

Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Revenge is a dish best served… by Munster

Amlin exploits may not have been in the first 10 chapters of the Guidebook to the Munster Ethos Rob Penney had to sift through before showing up in the summer. However, those who played that fine sunny day in Thomond won’t forget the pain of a rare home defeat.

The shoe is on the other foot now, and Paul O’Connell’s pack will arrive intent on wrecking the gaff.

YouTube credit: MrGoosty

Those coppers might finally catch up with Bad, Bad Andy Trimble

Nine tries already this season. He’s ruthless.

Simon Zebo gets back to the day job

YouTube credit: James Dullea

Here are your teams:

Wasps v Leinster, tonight 8.0

Wasps: E Daly; C Wade, A Masi, C Bell, T Varndell; N Robinson, J Simpson: Z Taulafo, TR Thomas, P Swainston; TPalmer, M Wentzel (Capt.); J Launchbury, S Jones, A Johnson.
Replacements: T Lindsay, T Payne, W Taylor, J Poff, B Vunipola, C Davies, S Jones, H Southwell

Leinster: R Kearney; D Kearney, F McFadden, G D’Arcy, I Nacewa; I Madigan, I Boss: C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross; L Cullen (Capt.) D Toner; K McLaughlin, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, J Hagan, Q Roux, S Jennings, J Cooney, A Goodman, A Conway.

Saracens v Ulster, Saturday 6.30

Saracens: A Goode; C Ashton, J Tomkins, B Barritt, D Strettle; O Farrell, R Wigglesworth: M Vunipola, S Brits, M Stevens; S Borthwick (Capt.) A Hargreaves; K Brown, W Fraser, E Joubert.
Replacements: J Smit, R Gill, P du Plessis, M Botha, J Wray,N de Kock, C Hodgson, C Wyles.

Ulster: J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar: T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, N Williams.

Replacements: R Herring, C Black, R Lutton, R Diack, M McComish, P Marshall, S Olding, T Bowe.

Harlequins v Munster, Sunday 2.0

Harlequins: M Brown; T Williams, G Lowe, T Carson, U Monye; N Evans, D Care: J Marler, R Buchanan, J Johnston; O Kohn, G Robson; M Fa’asaavalu, C Robshaw (Capt.) N Easter.
Replacements: J Gray, M Lamber, W Collier, C Matthews, T Guest, K Dickson, B Botica, M Hopper.

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; R O’Gara, C Murray; D Kilcoyne , M Sherry BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O’Connell (Capt); P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, D O’Callaghan, P Butler, C Sheridan, I Keatley, I Dineen.