La Rochelle are missing experienced forward Will Skelton though injury as Ronan O'Gara names a 7-1 split on the bench.

La Rochelle: Dulin; Nowell; Seuteni, Favre; Leyds; Hastoy, Kerr-Barlow; Wardi, Lespiaucq, Atonio; Lavault, Douglas; Boudehent, Jegou, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Clavier, Nail, Garnier, Marchais, Boichot, Kamoto, Thomas, Obiang Hguema.

Image source, Inpho

Leinster were forced into a late change on Friday after Tommy O'Brien picked up an injury in the captain's run.

The change has forced Leo Cullen into a backline reshuffle with New Zealand international Jordie Barrett starting at full-back.

Jimmy O'Brien will move to the right wing and Jamie Osborne will shift to left wing.

Ciaran Frawley has taken Barrett's place amongst the replacements and is in line for his first appearance since he was withdrawn at half-time with a back injury against Bristol Bears in December.

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong will make his first appearance for Leinster since October.

Furlong, who missed Ireland's autumn internationals with a hamstring injury, will make his 150th appearance for Leinster, a landmark that will also be reached by scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

Gibson-Park also comes in for Luke McGrath at number nine.

Furlong and Cian Healy join Ronan Kelleher in an all-Ireland front row while Caelan Doris captains the team from number eight.

Leinster: Barrett; J O'Brien; Ringrose, Henshaw; J Osbourne; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Healy, Kelleher, Furlong; J McCarthy, Ryan; Baird, van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, Porter, Silmani, Snyman, Conan, McGrath, Byrne, Frawley.

Image source, Inpho

One of European rugby's greatest rivalries in recent years renews this afternoon as La Rochelle face Leinster at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Leinster, who last won the European title in 2018, are unbeaten in this season's Champions Cup and in the United Rugby Championship.

Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have also won both of their European matches with Bath and Bristol to top Pool 2 on points difference ahead of Leinster.

Leo Cullen's side are aiming for a 12th successive win in all competitions this season. They lost the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup finals to Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle but exacted revenge with wins in the pool stage and quarter-finals last season.

It promises to be an exciting encounter in France so stay with us for live text commentary of all the action.

Image source, Inpho

Bristol: Elizalde; Bates, Ravouvou, Williams, Heward; Byrne, Marmion; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Owen, Batley, Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.

Replacements: Oghre, Genge, Kloska, Barker, Luatua, Randall, Van Rensburg, Lane.

Benetton: Smith; Gallagher, Menoncello, Brex, Ratave; Albornoz, Uren; Gallo, Maile, Zilocchi, N Cannone, Ruzza, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Bernasconi, Ferrari, Avaca, Snyman, Favretto, Izekor, Garbisi, Marin.

Onto Bristol then, Irish fly-half Harry Byrne is set to make his first appearance after joining on loan from Leinster.

Byrne will lead the Bristol attack after joining the Premiership side on a three-month deal from the Irish province.

Kalaveti Ravouvou returns to the midfield at outside centre, while Benjamin Elizalde is named at full-back.

Prop Max Lahiff will make his 99th Bristol appearance as one of six changes in the pack with only captain Fitz Harding and Viliame Mata retaining their place in the starting XV.

We'll have the full line-ups next...

Time to hand over the live text duties as we bring you coverage of La Rochelle against Leinster and Bristol against Benetton.

Toulon next face Sale next Sunday and Harlequins will host Glasgow on Saturday.

Last 16 qualification still very much alive for Quins but they may need something from that game.

Toulon secure their spot in the last 16, with Harlequins unable to take anything from the game.

Harlequins have a scrum with less than a minute to go. A losing bonus point looks unlikely unless they score straight away.

Alex Dombrandt nicks the ball and tries to find Nick David but the pass can't be picked up by the winger. Sums up the day for Harlequins.

Toulon in full control as they continue to play out the clock.

Marcus Smith races clear down the wing after an offload from Alex Dombrandt. However, there isn't enough gas left in the tank to go the length of the pitch as he is chased down.

Dan Biggar's first touch is to punt a penalty into Quins' 22. Is there another score in this one?

Former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is on. Paolo Garbisi has shifted to 12.

Toulon have done so well to regain control of the game when it looked like Harlequins were on the charge. Three wins from three looks likely.

The live texter curse as Marius Domon's pass is behind Gael Drean. If that went to hand a try was on.

Marius Domon scoops up the kick through and finds a nice touch. The Toulon full-back has been excellent. France have plenty of options there but he could well soon find himself regularly in the mix.

With 20 minutes left, Harlequins would fancy scoring two tries to nick a point. It is more than doable.