Preview: Challenge Cup Pool 4
Second chance: Williams starts his second game in succession
In all fairness Pool Four will be won by either Newcastle or Brive, with El Salvador and Overmach Parma out to see who can finish third.
Newcastle get under way at home to Spanish side El Salvador, whilst Brive head across to Italy to take on Overmach Parma.
Newcastle v El Salvador
Newcastle will be looking to put a poor start to the Guinness Premiership behind them on Saturday, as they welcome Spanish minnows El Salvador to Kingston Park.
Despite the standard of opposition Steve Bates has left nothing to chance, maybe a reflection of flagging spirits in the north of England, as he names a powerful side.
In the pack All Black props Joe McDonnell and Carl Hayman start at loosehead and tighthead respectively, with Phil Dowson captaining the side from number eight.
With Jonny Wilkinson out for five months, young England U20 fly-half Rory Clegg gets another chance in the ten jersey.
Former rugby league man Danny Williams gets another start on the wing, having impressed in the EDF Energy Cup last weekend.
El Salvador will rely heavily on their small international contingent, of which many are Spanish Test players.
Raúl Turrión and Iván Criado provide the Test experience in the backs, whilst in the forwards captain Iván Criado is also a capped player.
Newcastle: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Ross Beattie, 5 Mark Sorensen, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements:16 Andy Long, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Micky Ward, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Russell Winter, 21 James Grindal, 22 Spencer Davey.
El Salvador: 15 Redgarht Van Eyk, 14 Raúl Turrión , 13 Meeuwis Stanley, 12 Nava Nava , 11 Luis Gascón, 10 Justin Wilson, 9 Sale Ibarra, 8 Charlie O'Connell, 7 Iván Criado (c) , 6 Fabio Galloppa, 5 Craig Lyons, 4 Sergio Souto, 3 Manuel Serrano , 2 Daniel Marrón, 1 Taz Lewis.
Replacements: 16 César Caballero, 17 Diego Zarzosa, 18 Gaston Gaston, 19 Francisco Carracedo, 20 Jorge Molina, 21 Ignacio Gutiérrez, 22 Manuel Raposa.
Date: Saturday 11 October, 2008
Kick-off: 18:30 BST (17:30 GMT)
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Patrick Pechambert (France)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garces (France), Bruno Bessot (France)
Assessor: Steve Lander (England)
Television match official: Trevor Parlett (England)
Overmach Parma vs Brive
Brive have the luxury of benching England internationals Andy Goode and Steve Thompson, as well as Wales cap Alix Popham, for their opening game.
Popham's former Scarlets teammate, Barry Davies, lines up at full-back, with Fijian Norman Ligairi on the right wing.
Ben Johnston, another Englishman, gets the go-ahead to start at inside centre, where he is partnered by Argentine Horacio Agulla.
Antoine Claasen captains the side at number eight, with French second row Arnaud Mela also in the starting XV.
Overmach Parma: 15 Giulio Rubini, 14 Roberto Quartaroli, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Alessandro Chillon, 11 Roberto Mariani, 10 Barry Irving, 9 Pietro Travagli, 8 Manoa Vosawai, 7 Liviu Pascu (c), 6 Juan Martin Soffredini, 5 Pelu Taele, 4 Tomas Valleyos Cinalli, 3 Alberto de Marchi, 2 Alvaro Tejeda, 1 German Fontana.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Abraham Winter, 18 Francesco Minto, 19 Sergiu Ursache, 20 Francesco Mazzariol, 21 Gilberto Pavan, 22 Francesco Fiorani.
Brive: 15 Barry Davies, 14 Norman Ligairi, 13 Horacio Agulla, 12 Ben Johnston, 11 Racgis Bianco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Jean-Baptiste Pejoine, 8 Antoine Claasen (c), 7 Vincent Forgues, 6 Alex Manta, 5 Arnaud Mela, 4 Johan van Zyl, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Jean-Philippe Bonrepaux, 1 Petrisor Toderasc.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Fabien Domingo, 19 Alix Popham, 20 Arnaud Pic, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Fabrice Estebanez.
Date: Sunday 12 October, 2008
Kick-off: 14:30 BST (13:30 GMT)
Venue: XXV Aprile
Referee: Neil Patterson (Scotland)
Touch judges: John Steele (Scotland), David Anderson (Scotland)