Last season’s Challenge Cup finalists Leicester Tigers return to the Heineken Champions Cup this season and face a stiff task on opening weekend, taking on 2020 Heineken Champions Cup winners Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter has named a powerful starting XV, captained by fly-half Joe Simmonds with centre Henry Slade, wing Jack Nowell and flanker Don Armand all playing from the start.

Leicester will have newly-appointed captain Ellis Genge available to start at prop, with the familiar half-back pairing of George Ford and Ben Youngs both starting as well as wing Nemani Nadolo.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Northampton Saints host Gloucester Rugby, Worcester Warriors face London Irish and Sale Sharks take on Bath Rugby.

The Premiership holders, Harlequins, will travel up to Kingston Park for their season opener against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.

Former Harlequins full-back Mike Brown will line up for Newcastle, having spent his entire career to date with the Twickenham-based club before moving up north after his contract was not renewed at the end of last season.

In TOP 14 action, the pick of the Saturday action sees European champions go head-to-head as Montpellier Herault Rugby take on Stade Toulousain, whilst the late match sees ASM Clermont Auvergne hosts Heineken Champions Cup runners-up Stade Rochelais in a repeat of the 2019 Challenge Cup final.

And on Sunday, triple European champions RC Toulon host Stade Francais Paris with both teams still looking for a first win of the season.

European heavyweights return to domestic action this weekend as the Gallagher Premiership season gets under way with a string of high-profile clashes.