Heineken Cup Rugby Schedule 2013: Fixtures and Start Times for Opening Weekend

The Heineken Cup 2013-14 gets underway this weekend, with the cloud of the threatened breakaway Rugby Champions Cup hanging over the ERC-run competition, per the Guardian.

With the existing competition fractured down the middle as clubs in England and France seek to address imbalances in the current system, it will be a relief to put the talking aside for a few days and focus on the rugby itself.

Jonny Wilkinson and defending champions Toulon will have to wait until Sunday to get their campaign underway, but there is plenty of exciting rugby action ahead.

Saturday afternoon's fixtures see Aviva Premiership favourites Northampton travel to France to take on Castres Olympique.

With the French side near the bottom of the Top 14 standings, the fixture represents a real opportunity for the star-studded Saints to open their account for the season with an away win.

Wales star George North will be the big threat for the visitors on what will be his debut for the club in European competition, while Alex Corbisiero also represents a major upgrade in the front row on last season. Australian prop Salesi Ma'afu is also set to make his debut, per BBC Sport.

In another Anglo-French encounter, meanwhile, Perpignan travel to Kingsholm to take on Gloucester, with former Cherry and White stars Alasdair Strokosch and Luke Narraway in their ranks.

The hosts have been inconsistent at the start of the current season but are always a formidable opponent in front of the hordes of The Shed, setting up what should be a very hard-fought and even contest on Saturday evening.

Surprisingly, Saturday also sees the first-ever Heineken Cup meeting of the past two winners of the Pro 12 league in Leinster and Ospreys.

On this occasion, Jamie Heaslip and his side will travel to South Wales for the encounter with both sides knowing a win could be vital to their chances of progression from what is a strong group—having been drawn alongside Northampton and Castres.

In the absence of talisman Brian O'Driscoll, Leinster face a tough ask at the Liberty Stadium.

Sunday's standout fixture is without doubt Toulon opening the defence of their title against Pro 12 side Glasgow.

Toulon's extensive summer transfer activity sees Martin Castrogiovanni and Ali Williams set for their first Heineken Cup outings at the Stade Mayol, with Gregor Townsend and his visiting side the unfortunate opponents.

Glasgow, though, enter the game off the back of five straight victories and will hope they can take advantage of any unfamiliarity in the opposition ranks.

The Scots' record in European competition is not good, however, losing five of six games last campaign, per BBC Sport, and it is likely Toulon will simply be too powerful for them in South-West France come Sunday afternoon.

With Toulon having once more strengthened significantly upon the side that won the title last season, Wilkinson and co. must once more be considered favourites to be crowned kings of Europe this campaign.