THE CRUNCH STAGE of the Heineken Cup is reached this weekend with Round 5 of this season’s competition taking place.
There’s plenty pivotal games on the agenda as the race for the knockout stages intensifies.
The Irish interest starts tonight as Ulster entertain Montpellier. On Saturday, Connacht are at home to Zebre while Munster travel to face Gloucester.
Finally on Sunday, Leinster are away to take on Castres.
(All match kick-offs are at local time of venue)
Friday
Pool 4: Racing Metro 92 v Scarlets, Stade Yves-du-Manior (Colombes), 9pm.
Pool 5: Ulster v Montpellier, Ravenhill, 8pm.
Saturday
Pool 2: Exeter Chiefs v Glasgow Warriors, Sandy Park Stadium, 3pm; Toulon v Cardiff Blues, Allianz Riviera, 4.40pm.
Pool 3: Connacht v Zebre, The Sportsground, 3.40pm.
Pool 4: Harlequins v ASM Clermont-Auvergne, The Twickenham Stoop, 1.35pm.
Pool 5: Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 2.35pm.
Pool 6: Edinburgh v Perpignan, Murrayfield, 6pm; Gloucester v Munster, Kingsholm, 6pm.
Sunday
Pool 1: Ospreys v Northampton Saints, Liberty Stadium, 12.45pm; Castres v Leinster, Stade Pierre Antoine, 1.45pm.
Pool 3: Toulouse v Saracens, Stade Ernest Wallon, 4pm.
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There’s also plenty action in the Amlin Challenge Cup this weekend.
Here’s the lowdown on the fixtures.
Friday
Pool 1: Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors, AJ Bell Stadium, 8pm.
Pool 2: Bordeaux-Begles v Rugby Mogliano, Stade André Moga, 7.30pm.
Saturday
Pool 1: Oyonnax v Biarritz, Stade Charles Mathon, 3.30pm.
Pool 2: Newport Gwent Dragons v Bath, Rodney Parade, 2.30pm.
Pool 3: Calvisano v Bucharest Wolves, Peroni Stadium, 2.30pm.
Pool 4: Bayonne v London Wasps, Stade Jean-Dauger, 9pm; Viadana v Grenoble, Stadio Comunale Pierluigi Zaffanella, 2pm.
Pool 5: London Irish v Lusitanos, Madejski Stadium, 3pm.