Ireland flanker Simon Easterby has been ruled out of Llanelli Scarlets' tie against Toulouse following a knee injury.
Llanelli captain Easterby scored the winning try in the Scarlets' 20-19 victory over the three-time European champions last Saturday but has been forced out of this Saturday's return match in France with the recurrence of an injury incurred in the autumn Test series.
Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies said: "We always had the intention of trying to get Simon through these two games when he came back from Ireland duty.
"However, the minor problem has flared up again after Saturday's game so it's important he gets the knee seen to this week. Saying that, we've still got 17 internationals in the side to play Toulouse."
Easterby's place in the back row is filled by Wales flanker Dafydd Jones, returning from a long-term shoulder injury, while Lions scrumhalf Dwayne Peel takes over the captain's armband.
Davies admitted, however, the loss of Easterby was a major blow after hailing his man-of-the-match display against Toulouse as "world-class".
Davies said: "Simon had an exceptional game against Toulouse. He was involved in all areas of the game and was outstanding for us. He made some key plays during the game and was on hand to score a crucial try. It was his best performance of the season for the Scarlets."
CHALLENGE CUP:Versatile forward Michael Swift will become the fifth Connacht player to reach 100 caps when he lines out against Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup tomorrow night.
The 29-year-old is in his seventh season with Connacht and follows in the footsteps of Eric Elwood, Dan McFarland, Darren Yapp and Matt Mostyn to play a century of games for the province.
Connacht have made four changes to the side that beat Montpellier 26-13 at the Sportsground last Friday.
Mark McHugh and John Fogarty come into the side and Ryan Strudwick is handed his first start, in the second row. Matt Lacey replaces Ray Ofisa, who is being rested. Darren Yapp and Conor McPhillips are named among the replacements.
CONNACHT (v Montpellier):D Riordan; K Matthews, P Warwick, G Williams, T Robinson; M McHugh, C O'Loughlin; B Wilkinson, J Fogarty (capt), S Knoop; R Strudwick, A Farley; M Swift, M Lacey, J Muldoon. Replacements: A Flavin, B Sturgess, D Gannon, C Rigney, C Keane, D Yapp, C McPhillips.
ENGLAND:Clive Woodward believes England's underperforming cricket and rugby union teams have got it wrong when it comes to selection.
The 2003 World Cup-winning coach insists power-sharing has no place in world-class sport and teams should be chosen by one man.
The England rugby team was picked by a committee of head coach Andy Robinson, assistants Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford and the Rugby Football Union's new elite director, Rob Andrew, when losing three of four autumn internationals.
Woodward offered his advice to whoever succeeds Robinson as England's next rugby coach.
"You've got to be your own person and you've got to lead. We've seen what happened to Andy," he said. "Just make sure you do it your own way. That's the most important thing."
