Pool 1 leaders Leinster Rugby, who made history last weekend by becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stage after Round 4, recall Ireland hooker and double European champion Sean Cronin for his first appearance of the season in their Guinness PRO14 match at home to Ulster Rugby on Friday.

Gloucester Rugby, who are second in Pool 5, bring back England scrum-half Willi Heinz for his first game since missing the Rugby World Cup final with a hamstring injury. He skippers the Cherry and Whites in their Gallagher Premiership home game against Worcester Warriors on Friday.

Connacht Rugby, who are just behind Gloucester, field Tiernan O’Halloran - a regular for the Irish province in the past two seasons, but yet to play this season due to injury - at full-back in their Guinness PRO14 game at home to Munster Rugby on Saturday.

Also in the PRO14 on Saturday, Wales flanker Justin Tipuric returns to skipper Ospreys, who are bottom of Pool 4, against Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium in his first match of the season.

Meanwhile in the Gallagher Premiership, Exeter Chiefs centre Ollie Devoto will be back on first-team duty for the first time since injuring his neck against Worcester Warriors back in October. He has yet to feature for the runaway Pool 2 leaders this season.

As Heineken Champions Cup clubs resume domestic action this week, several sides welcome back key players from injury who have missed the first four rounds of European competition.