Leicester make their first Heineken Cup trip to France on Saturday since being crowned European champions in Paris five months ago - and another milestone beckons.

The Tigers will equal Brive's tournament record of nine successive victories if they beat Pool One rivals Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral on Saturday night.

Leicester have reeled off eight wins in a row since their shock 18-11 group defeat against Pontypridd last season and are well on course for the quarter-finals.

But the Perpignan trip promises to test Tigers' playing resources, with Lions forwards Martin Johnson and Martin Corry sidelined through injury, while wing Fereti Tuilagi is another non-starter.

"We never even think about records at Leicester," said Tigers boss Dean Richards.

"I am looking at the Perpignan match with a bit of trepidation. We lost to them in a friendly earlier this year, and although we were not at full-strength, neither were they.

"We know what it takes to win Heineken Cup games in France, but we've also lost matches over there.

"Perpignan are, on their day, a side more than capable of beating the best in Europe, and this will be a big challenge for us."

Perpignan's former Harlequins and Saracens fly-half Thierry Lacroix insists that Leicester, who could include Geordan Murphy on the bench following a five-week lay-off through hamstring trouble, are favourites, despite Richards' concern.

"They are a mature team, used to the pressure of playing big away games," said 34-year-old Lacroix.

"Leicester have been together as a team for two or three seasons and with so much strength in depth, no amount of disruption bothers them."

Perpignan currently top Pool Two of the French Championship, consolidating that impressive position through recent victories over Bourgoin and Narbonne.

While Leicester look to march on, Northampton entertain Pool Five leaders Montferrand in a must-win encounter at Franklin's Gardens, but the Saints are minus injured England scrum-half Matt Dawson (hamstring) and skipper Budge Pountney (shoulder).

With Dawson out and reserve scrum-half Dom Malone also sidelined, Northampton boss John Steele has turned to 20-year-old Ian Vass, who makes his first Saints start since suffering a serious knee injury exactly 12 months ago.

An application to field Academy youngster Johnny Howard - not chosen among Northampton's original Heineken Cup squad - was rejected by tournament organisers.

Montferrand go into the game after receiving a suspended £10,000 fine for unruly behaviour by some of their fans towards match officials following the home win against Cardiff earlier this month.

Iestyn Harris makes his full union debut in Cardiff's Arms Park appointment with Glasgow on Saturday, guaranteeing a bumper crowd.

The former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star produced a startling 40-minute substitute's appearance against Llanelli last weekend, increasing the media hype that has enveloped his code switch.

"When you have weeks like this, then you just want to get out and play. A week feels like a month sometimes, and this is one of them," Harris said.

The 25-year-old has found himself in constant demand since that Stradey Park debut, but he added: "I am looking forward to facing Glasgow, rather than thinking about the pressure that is on me."

Harris will wear the number 10 jersey, partnering Rob Howley at half-back, as Cardiff look to recover from that 37-10 defeat in Montferrand three weeks ago.

Bath, bottom but one in the Zurich Premiership, yet clear leaders of Pool Three, should have Iain Balshaw, Matt Perry, Mike Catt and Kevin Maggs back from Six Nations duty for Saturday's trip to Edinburgh.

The same qualifying pool throws together under-achievers Swansea and Biarritz at St Helens, with unbeaten Group Two challengers Stade Francais and Ulster tackling each other in Paris.