After the weekend the Heineken Cup pool stage will be halfway over. That means it's crunch time for several Americans overseas. Samu Manoa and Northampton have one of the more high profiles matches as they take on Leinster. Blaine Scully and Leicester also have a difficult match against Montpellier. Things are bit easier Chris Wyles and Saracens against Zebre but they will still need maximum points. Down in the lower division Will Magie will get his first start for Ealing. They play Moseley in the British & Irish Cup. Over in Japan Todd Clever is back to starting this week for the NTT Shining Arcs.
Take the jump to read more.
British Isles:
Heineken Cup
Chris Wyles will start for Saracens as they play Zebre on Saturday. Dave Ryan is not in the line-up for Zebre.
Samu Manoa will start for Northampton as they play Leinster on Saturday.
Blaine Scully is on the bench for Leicester as they play Montpellier on Sunday.
Hanno Dirksen is not in the line-up for the Ospreys as they play Castres today.
Callum Black is on the bench for Ulster as they play Benetton Treviso on Saturday
James Hilterbrand is not in the line-up for Edinburgh as they play Gloucester on Sunday.
Hanno Dirksen is not in the line-up for the Ospreys as they play Castres today.
Callum Black is on the bench for Ulster as they play Benetton Treviso on Saturday
James Hilterbrand is not in the line-up for Edinburgh as they play Gloucester on Sunday.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Andrew Suniula is not in the Wasps line-up as they play Grenoble on Saturday.
British & Irish Cup
Eric Fry is on the bench for London Scottish as they play Pontypridd on Saturday.
Will Magie will earn his first start for Ealing as they play Moseley today. Ronnie McLean is not in the line-up.
Will Magie will earn his first start for Ealing as they play Moseley today. Ronnie McLean is not in the line-up.
National League 1
Robbie Shaw and Esher play Hull Ionians on Saturday.
Tom Bliss and Loughborough play Richmond on Saturday.
Other
Jared Stewart is a member of the Newcastle academy.
All Ireland League
Pierce Dargan, Conor Kearns, Colton Cariaga, and Angus MacLellan and Trinity (Dublin University) play Blackrock College on Saturday.
Ross Deacon, Gearoid McDonald and Landsdowne play John Quill and Dolphin on Saturday.
Liam Bourke and UCD play Young Munster on Saturday.
France:
Amlin Challenge Cup
Taku Ngwenya started, played 80 minutes, and scored a try for Biarritz as they beat Worcester on Thursday.
Scott LaValla will start for Stade Francais as they play London Irish on Sunday.
Pro D2
Inaki Basauri and Tarbes play Lyon on Saturday.
Seta Tuilevuka will start for Beziers as they play Albi on Saturday.
Federale 1
Mate Moeakiola and L’Uson are on winter break.
Roland Suniula and Vienne are on winter break.
Italy:
Eccellenza
Nick Civetta is on the bench for Lazio as they play Capitolina in the Eccellenza Trophy on Saturday.
Japan:
Top League
Todd Clever will start for the NTT Shining Arcs as they play the Ricoh Black Rams on Saturday.
Anthony Estrella and Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus play the Canon Eagles on Sunday.
South Africa:
Other
Derek Asbun and the University of Cape Town have finished their season.
Australia:
Super Rugby
Marcel Brache and Western Force are in pre-season.
Shute Shield
Tyler Spitz and Eastwood have finished their season.