Paul Grayson
Former Northampton and England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Tommy Freeman is a huge threat. He's so big and strong he'll get over the gainline unless you really belt him. He's the real deal and his international experience shows in the club game.

Saints try to hit back, but Clermont kick downfield and put all the pressure back on the hosts. Fritz Lee does well to clear out from a ruck, and Saints are still locked into their 22.

A simple kick for three gives the away side a deserved lead.

Clermont's yellow shirts are camped out under the Saints posts, they run it right from a scrum and George Moala drops it - but they get a penalty under the posts and they go for goal.

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It was chaos under the posts. In the end George Hendy did a good job and saved Northampton from conceding

A Saints hand just got the ball back to the line, following a lovely chip ahead by Clermont. That skill deserved a score, but not to be.

Saints kick off, the ball is punted back to them and James Ramm runs it back over halfway. Clermont are awarded a penalty and they hoof it downfield into a dangerous area outside the 22.

I'm so jealous of Mantej!

Here we go....

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

The sun may have been shining in the East Midlands today but the evening chill is beginning to set in.

Good job I took my wife's advice and dragged the jacket out of the wardrobe.

The surface looks immaculate and the Saints will want to start quickly in front of their raucous crowd.

We're all set for a European Friday night under the lights...

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

As the stadium announcer went through the names of the Saints players, you can probably guess who received the loudest cheer...

Henry Pollock's career is still in its infancy but the Northampton faithful have taken to their new star pretty quickly.

It is a gorgeous night at Franklin's Gardens, perfectly set up for a thriller. Let's hope there's no curse of the (live text) commentator at play as the teams emerge.

There's even more rugby available across BBC Sport tonight, with commentary on Pau v Bath in the Challenge Cup as well as coverage from Northampton.

Both sides are languishing in eighth place in their respective domestic leagues, but that's off the table tonight.

It's gearing up to be a special European night under the lights - will home advantage be crucial?

It's not all about Fin Smith of course - Saints also have the precocious talent that is Henry Pollock in their ranks.

He's had a a few weeks to savour, and has been described as "world class" by coach Phil Dowson and "different gravy" by Tommy Freeman of late. It'll be fascinating to see how he goes tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

England fly-half Fin Smith (above) returns as Northampton Saints make three changes for this Investec Champions Cup last-16 match against Clermont Auvergne.

Smith was rested in Saints' Premiership defeat by Sale Sharks last Friday but is reinstated at number 10 to resume his half-back partnership with England's Alex Mitchell.

In the forwards, Temo Mayanavanua returns in the second row and Juarno Augustus is named at number eight.

Northampton: Ramm; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall (capt), Hendy; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Coles, Kemeny, Pollock, Augustus.

Replacements: Walker, West, Green, Lockett, Scott-Young, Pearson, James, Hutchinson.

For Clermont, Alex Newsome comes in at full-back, while prop Giorgi Akhaladze replaces Etienne Falgoux, who drops to the bench, in the only alteration to the pack.

Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Simone, Moala, Raka; Belleau, Bezy; Akhaladze, Massa, Ojovan, Simmons, Ceyte, Sowakula, Tixeront, Lee (capt).

Replacements: Fainga'a, Falgoux, Ala'alatoa, Hemery, Fischer, Bousquet, Urdapilleta, Fouyssac.

A mouthwatering weekend of European knock-out rugby is in the offing, starting with what should be a cracker as Northampton take on Clermont-Auvergne at Franklins Gardens.

I can't wait - except I'm going to have to, and so are you. But first, let's take a look at the teams.