Richard Hill returns to Ebbw Vale with Harlequins tomorrow, insisting: "We are not expecting any favours".

The former England and Bath captain helped coach Vale last season when Gloucester decided to dispense with his services.

But after narrowly missing out on Heineken Cup qualification and reaching the European Shield quarter-finals, Vale have now slumped to bottom but one in the Welsh-Scottish League.

And Hill, Quins' assistant coach, will be out to deepen Vale's misery when the Shield rivals clash at Eugene Cross Park.

"We played them in a pre-season friendly at Eugene Cross Park, and they weren't very organised that day," Hill said.

"But it will be different this time, I am sure, as they will have had longer with coach Mike Ruddock and will be in better shape.

"Ebbw Vale is a difficult place to go and play, as I know from my time down there, and we are not expecting any favours. It will be tough for us."

Quins are again likely to rest Ireland captain Keith Wood and England centre Will Greenwood, but should still prove too strong for the Steelmen.

Bristol, 41-14 Pool Seven conquerors of Mont de Marsan last Saturday, have injury problems for the trip to La Rochelle.

Lock Garath Archer (back), centre Leigh Davies (hamstring), full-back Lee Best (knee) and wing Spencer Brown (ankle) are all sidelined, so player/coach Dean Ryan has delayed finalising his starting line-up.

Rotherham, who like Quins and Bristol got off to a winning start last weekend, visit Perpignan without the services of full-back Mike Umaga and back-row man Isaac Feau'nati.

Umaga is rested, while Feau'nati has been granted leave to stay with his wife, who is expecting a baby.

London Irish must start again in Pool Six, visiting Aurillac after being docked two points for fielding an ineligible player when the clubs met last weekend.

And both Newcastle and Sale will be confident of breaking their points duck against respective Welsh visitors Cross Keys and Caerphilly.