The Ospreys head to Welford Road without Gavin Henson, who is serving a two-match ban imposed by his employers.

By his own admission, Henson ``reacted poorly'' to feedback received from Ospreys management when they reviewed last weekend's scrappy EDF Energy Cup performance against Harlequins. And he has paid the price, not only missing Ospreys' opening Heineken flurries, but possibly threatening his participation in Wales' autumn Test opener against world champions South Africa on November 8.

With the Henson affair hanging over them, the Ospreys will face a Leicester side that has won five of its six games under new head coach Heyneke Meyer. Holley said: ``Everybody within the Ospreys camp is looking forward to renewing what has become a healthy rivalry with Leicester.

``We have the utmost respect for their playing and coaching staff, and for what the club has achieved over the years, and in particular in the Heineken Cup. They've made a good start to the current season and are playing some great rugby under their new coach. We know that we can expect a real test. We see Welford Road as being a great place to start this year's campaign - there will be a great atmosphere there, as always.''

Andrew Bishop has been handed Henson's number 12 shirt, with former Ulster wing Tommy Bowe starting at outside centre, while there is no place in Leicester's line-up for England elite squad member Tom Varndell.

Bath visit last season's Heineken runners-up Toulouse tomorrow, buoyed by their South African fly-half Butch James agreeing a new three-year contract. The European Challenge Cup holders have produced some sparkling rugby in the Guinness Premiership this term and will not be fazed by the sizeable Pool Five task.

``First and foremost, I think it is a clash of two great sides,'' said Bath's skills and defence coach Brad Davis.

``Toulouse are a great side and a joy to watch, and I think they have a similar philosophy to us as to how they want to play the game. Whatever happens on Sunday, it is definitely going to be a cracker of a match.''

Wasps go into Pool Two battle against Adams Park visitors Castres, with Danny Cipriani and Josh Lewsey reunited in the back division following their much-publicised training ground spat earlier this week. Wasps, reeling from five defeats in all competitions so far this term, know they must get off to a flier ahead of meeting pool favourites Leinster in Dublin next Saturday.

``Playing Wasps away in our first game certainly throws us in at the deep end,'' said Castres skipper Lionel Nallet.

``Our main objective this season is to find some confidence again and reassure ourselves against the best European teams, considering our poor start in the Top 14 (French championship). We need to prove we can achieve things in another tournament.

"We still have some bad habits that we need to change, and the players need to work on that aspect. The players will take advantage of this competition, play without constraints, and enjoy a more flexible style of play to express themselves and try things.''

In tomorrow's Challenge Cup action, tournament favourites Saracens launch their campaign against Mont de Marsan at Vicarage Road, when Andy Farrell makes his first start of the season after recovering from a thumb injury.