This weekend we will witness the first round of Heineken Cup fixtures from all across Europe. From the Stoop to Vicarage Road and Parc y Scarlets to the Liberty Stadium this first weekend of European fixtures will be an exciting one! Click read more to view the full Round 1 preview.

Munster v Northampton
This brawl between two European giants will take place on Saturday at Thomond Park. These two sides met in the quarter-final of the 2009-10 Heineken Cup. Munster won 33-19 on the day but they were knocked out in the semi-final by the eventual runners-up, Biarritz. However, last year was a different story for both sides as Northampton reached the final and Munster missed out on the knock-out stages for the first time in 13 tournaments. I'm predicting a win for Northampton, they are in form and I think they can overcome Munster, despite playing away from home.


Montpellier v Leinster
This match will be one to keep an eye on because Montpellier will play in their first ever Heineken Cup match. Last season, the French side reached the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup but this time they will face a tough task to make it that far. Stade de la Mosson will play host to the match and Montpellier won't have a very easy introduction into the tournament as they face the might of current champions, Leinster. I'm sure Montpellier will put up a good fight but Leinster will be no match for the tournament newcomers. I think a big Leinster win is on the cards.

Harlequins v Connacht
The opening match of the competition will be played just down the road from where the final match will be played, The Twickenham Stoop. Tournament newcomers, Connacht, will face Harlequins who are currently unbeaten and top of the table in the Aviva Premiership. Harlequins also won the Amlin Challenge Cup last season and I think they are likely to take victory here.


Aironi v Leicester
Aironi are the tournament underdogs having only won one match in last seasons domestic league. But they proved themselves in last years Heineken Cup when they beat Biarritz 28-27 in the pool stages, causing a big upset. Leicester remain 10th in the Aviva Premiership, two places from the bottom. The Tigers haven't won at home this season but have won the Heineken Cup twice in 2001 and 2002. The Stadio Brianteo will play host to this match and I think Leicester will have to be careful of the Italians who could give them a run for their money.

Other games this weekend include Racing Metro v Cardiff Blues, London Irish v Edinburgh, Scarlets v Castres, Ospreys v Biarritz, Ulster v Clermont, Glasgow v Bath, Saracens v Treviso and Gloucester v Toulouse.

Feel free to post a comment with your predictions, players you look forward to seeing or which matches you think will be the best. To view all of our Heineken Cup news please click here.