Newport entertain Bath at Rodney Parade on Friday night in a crucial Heineken Cup clash and influential skipper Gary Teichmann is determined that the Welsh side will rise to the occasion.

A capacity 11,700 crowd is expected, including England manager Clive Woodward and Wales coach Graham Henry.

And for Newport, it will be an acid test of whether the star-studded team bought by millionaire businessman Tony Brown can prosper in European rugby's showpiece club competition.

Having lost against Munster last Saturday, another Newport defeat would effectively render their Heineken Cup quarter-final hopes bankrupt.

And captain Teichmann, whose reign as Springboks skipper saw South Africa clock up a world record-equalling 17 Tests unbeaten, knows the pressure is on.

"The players have learnt a lot from that first Heineken Cup game in Limerick, and they've gained a lot of confidence," he said.

"We were poor during the opening 20 minutes, but then grew into the game. This week, we've spoken about the need for consistency throughout 80 minutes."

Teichmann, his fellow Springbok Adrian Garvey, fly-half Shane Howarth and Canadian prop Rod Snow are the experienced pillars upon which Newport's challenge rests.

And Black and Ambers rugby director Allan Lewis accepts it will be an occasion which ranks among the biggest since Newport's formation 125 years ago.

"We all know that it is the biggest night at Rodney Parade for 30 years, and that we are playing a team which has already won the Heineken Cup," he said.

"All I hope is that we don't become conservative in our outlook. We must carry the game to Bath."

With Brown at the helm, Newport have ploughed some £500,000 into ground improvements, an investment rewarded with average crowds this season that would compare favourably alongside any top English club.

"This game is a classic Anglo-Welsh fixture on the Heineken Cup stage - it has captured the imagination of everyone in this area," said Newport's acting chief executive Keith Grainger.

Bath coach Jon Callard, who made more than 100 first team appearances for Newport before joining the West Country giants, has yet to unveil his starting line-up.

But while Newport must do without injured Sydney-born Wales centre Jason Jones-Hughes, pool four rivals Bath are expected to retain the side that saw off Castres last Saturday.

While Bath made a winning start in Europe, injury-hit Heineken Cup holders Northampton somewhat predictably came unstuck against Biarritz.

Saints' casualty count - Scotland hooker Steve Brotherstone is the latest fitness worry - will again hinder them when pool one opponents Edinburgh Reivers arrive at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

But although the likes of Matt Dawson, Nick Beal and Craig Moir remain sidelined, England international Paul Grayson could retain Northampton's number 10 jersey following a recent groin problem.

Swansea, inspired by mercurial fly-half Arwel Thomas' 29-point haul and four tries from wing Matthew Robinson, stung Wasps beyond recognition last Saturday.

But All Whites coach John Plumtree believes that things "will only get tougher" when French champions Stade Francais arrive in town on Saturday.

While Swansea blitzed Wasps 54-28, Stade Francais scored 13 tries during a 92-7 demolition of tournament newcomers L'Aquila. Italian Test fly-half Diego Dominguez contributed 32 points to that rout.

"You have to be pleased with a performance that sees you score 50 points against a side like Wasps, but we are not getting carried away," Plumtree said.

"The Heineken Cup is a tough competition, and you've got to win your home games. We've had one victory so far, nothing more than that."

While Swansea made a winning start to fly the Welsh flag at St Helens, both Llanelli and Cardiff suffered unexpected defeats.

Llanelli, semi-finalists last season, were beaten at home by Gloucester in pool five, and Cardiff experienced an agonising late defeat on their pool three travels against Ulster in Belfast.

Neither team can afford to lose again this weekend, but it is a distinct possibility given that Llanelli visit Colomiers and Cardiff host Toulouse.

Toulouse are on the rebound from losing at home to Saracens, when former local hero Thomas Castaignede proved the architect of their downfall.

They beat Cardiff four years ago, a result which saw them crowned inaugural European champions, yet an early exit now beckons for Saturday's Arms Park losers.

"We only played three French Championship games before going into Europe, and the pace of those matches is limited compared to Heineken Cup rugby," said Toulouse coach Guy Noves.

"We were not prepared for the step-up to Heineken Cup intensity, and are playing catch-up to the English clubs in terms of match fitness."

Tournament organisers can only keep their fingers crossed that violence does not flare when Pontypridd visit Pau in pool six on Saturday.

The Welsh club, who experienced trouble on and off the pitch during two previous Heineken Cup visits to France, will be reunited with former Brive scrum-half Philippe Carbonneau, now at Pau.

Carbonneau claimed he was attacked by Pontypridd players during an alleged bar-room brawl in Brive three years ago, but although arrests were made, no charges followed.

The game's powder-keg potential has not been lost on Heineken Cup chiefs, and both clubs can expect tough sanctions if matters get out of hand. Experienced English referee Brian Campsall is the man in charge.

Saturday's other game sees Munster travel to Castres in pool four, then four English clubs take centre-stage on Sunday.

Gloucester and Leicester, both opening weekend winners, face Roma and Glasgow respectively, Wasps go to L'Aquila and Premiership leaders Saracens greet 1999 Heineken Cup winners Ulster at Vicarage Road.