The second round of pool matches in the Heineken Cup starting on Friday will see a number of major sides looking to bounce back from surprise defeats.

The tournament's reputation for unpredictability was underlined in last weekend's opening fixtures when French Championship leaders Biarritz were beaten 14-6 on home soil by the English Premiership's bottom club Bath.

But Serge Blanco's old club have a chance to return to winning ways when they travel to Scotland on Friday for a Pool One encounter against Edinburgh.

Biarritz and France wing Philippe Bernat-Salles admitted: "We've made it hard for ourselves by losing our opening match."

But he added that Biarritz were expecting great things from newly signed Australian winger Joe Roff. (pictured) "He is hugely experienced and knows all the tricks. He has already brought a wealth of knowledge to Biarritz Olympique.

Roff is set to be playing out of position at fullback so that Biarritz can play a back three that also features Bernat-Salles and Englishman Stuart Legg.

Former Newcastle back Legg has been in fine goalkicking form for Biarritz this season, but was substituted midway through the first half of the Bath match because of a hip injury.

Edinburgh went down 21-16 to Welsh side Swansea in their Pool Three encounter and a win is vital for their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals, something no Scottish side has previously achieved.

Swansea themselves must now travel to a rejuvenated Bath.

French champions and 1995/96 European Cup winners Toulouse are away to in-form Welsh side Newport following their shock 40-10 Dublin defeat by Irish province Leinster.

Toulouse director of rugby Guy Noves said: "I don't think the score reflected our performance against Leinster, but all the same we made a lot of mistakes."

Noves has a number of injury worries as he prepares for Friday's match. France wing Emile Ntamack is still out with a thigh injurym while outside-half Yann Delaigue (knee), utility-back
Clement Pointreau (arm) and wing Cedric Heymans (hand) are all injury doubts.

Last season's beaten finalists Stade Francais, 25-19 conquerors over London Wasps, host Italian aristocrats Treviso in Pool Two. But Stade backs David Vendetti (thumb) and Cliff Mytton (thumb) are likely to miss the match.

All three Irish representatives will look to continue their winning starts, although Munster face a difficult tie in London against reigning Shield champions Harlequins.

Pool Five leaders Cardiff will have Wales and British Lions scrumhalf Rob Howley on the bench for Saturday's home clash against French side Montferrand. The former Wales captain has been troubled by an upset stomach this week and his place in the starting line-up will be taken by Andy Booth.

On Sunday European Cup holders and English champions Leicester could pile up a huge score against Italian newcomers Calvisano.

Meanwhile, in Pool Five, 1999/2000 European kings Northampton and Glasgow will both be looking for their first win of this season's competition when they meet at Franklin's Gardens. - Sapa