It has been just over two months since the 16 teams advancing from the Heineken Champions Cup pool stage were confirmed and the nervous wait for some mouth-watering EPCR match-ups is almost over.

Leicester Tigers, who kick off the Round of 16 on March 31 when they welcome Edinburgh Rugby to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, are in Gallagher Premiership action on Saturday as they host Bristol Bears.

Head coach Richard Wigglesworth has the England quartet of prop Dan Cole, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, full-back Freddie Steward and wing Anthony Watson back at his disposal, as well as Wales flanker Tommy Reffell, after the end of the Six Nations.

Jimmy Gopperth is back at centre while George Martin and Cameron Henderson form a new-look second row as Tigers look to gather some momentum ahead of their clash with Edinburgh.

Elsewhere in the Premiership on Saturday, there is a monumental clash between two Heineken Champions Cup sides as Saracens welcome Harlequins.

Saracens, who host Ospreys in the Round of 16 on April 2, are captained by returning England fly-half Owen Farrell while international teammate Marcus Smith is back in the number 10 shirt for Quins, who visit DHL Stormers on April 1.

In the United Rugby Championship (URC), Ospreys will be aiming to hit form ahead of that trip to Saracens as they entertain Welsh rivals Dragons RFC.

The home side are bolstered by returning Wales internationals, with lock Alun-Wyn Jones and wing George North straight back into their starting XV.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh head to Connacht Rugby with wing Darcy Graham featuring for the first time since sustaining a knee injury last December, meaning he could be in line for a first Heineken Champions Cup appearance of the season next weekend.

Cell C Sharks and Munster Rugby, who go head-to-head in the Heineken Champions Cup in Durban on April 1, also have URC games this Saturday, visting Scarlets and hosting Glasgow Warriors respectively.

Cell C Sharks name all four of their EPCR Player of the Year nominees – lock Eben Etzebeth, scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse, flanker Siya Kolisi and wing Makazole Mapimpi - in a daunting XV at the Parc Y Scarlets.

Munster’s EPCR Player of the Year nominee Gavin Coombes continues at No.8, with lock RG Snyman set to make his second appearance of the season from the bench as his comeback from a long-term injury continues.

Ulster Rugby and Vodacom Bulls, who both have tough away trips in their respective Heineken Champions Cup games, serve up another huge URC encounter at the Kingspan Stadium.

Ulster, who travel to four-time EPCR champions Leinster Rugby on April 1, welcome back wing Rob Baloucoune in a huge boost ahead of that game in Dublin.

Vodacom Bulls, who are at five-time champions Stade Toulousain the following day, also name a strong side with the likes of hooker Johan Grobbelaar, lock Ruan Nortje, fly-half Chris Smith and full-back Kurt-Lee Arendse all starting.

Three further Heineken Champions Cup outfits are involved in Saturday’s TOP 14 games, with Stade Rochalais away at Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Toulousain visiting Castres Olympique and Montpellier Hérault Rugby heading to USAP.

Exeter Chiefs, who host Montpellier on April 2, feature in Sunday’s Premiership contest as the 2020 Heineken Champions Cup winners welcome back the likes of lock Dafydd Jenkins, flanker Christ Tshiunza and centre Henry Slade for their trip to Bath Rugby.

This weekend sees the final round of domestic fixtures take place before the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stage commences with the Round of 16.