Hyde in for desperate Tykes

Dan Hyde starts for Leeds as they turn to experience for the visit of Calvisano.

Leeds v Calvisano

Heineken Cup, Headingley, Friday October 28, KO 20.00pm

Leeds have opted to go with an experienced back row for the visit of Calvisano, as they aim to get their season up-and-running with a first victory.

Highly-rated youngster Jordan Crane will not feature as the athletic Dan Hyde returns to action, forcing former Heineken Cup winner Nathan Thomas into the number eight role.

Elsewhere in the pack, Chris Murphy is selected at lock next to Tom Palmer.

Palmer and fly half Gordon Ross will be out to impress after their omissions from the international scene, and both start as Roland de Marigny remains on the bench.

The final change comes in the backline, where last week's try-scorer Andre Snyman is moved to centre in order to continue the promising combination that is developing between he and Justin Marshall.

David Rees is selected for the vacated wing slot, in place of Chris Jones.

Calvisano have also opted to freshen things up, as they aim to notch up only their third ever victory in the competition.

The Italians feature two changes in the backs and another two in the forwards, after their 25-6 home defeat to Perpignan.

Paul Griffin starts at scrum half in place of the absent Pablo Canavosio, whilst Apenise Vodo swaps places with last week's starter Matteo Pratichetti on the left wing.

The two alterations to the pack both come in the front row, where Gabriel Bocca and Andrea Moretti take the place of Salvatore Perugini and Leonardo Ghiraldini.

Leeds Tykes team: 15-T Stimpson; 14-D Rees, 13-R Vickerman, 12-A Snyman, 11-T Biggs; 10-G Ross, 9-J Marshall; 1-G Kerr, 2-R Rawlinson, 3-R Gerber, 4-C Murphy, 5-T Palmer, 6-D Hyde, 7-R Parks, 8-N Thomas.

Replacements: J Isaacson, G Bulloch, S Morgan, J Dunbar, M McMillan, R De Marigny, D Doherty.

Rugby Calvisano team: 15-J Van Schalkwyk; 14-L Nitoglia, 13-P Vaccari, 12-C Zanoletti, 11-A Vodo; 10-H Kruger, 9-P Griffen; 1-G Bocca, 2-A Moretti, 3-M Castrogiovanni, 4-M Ngauamo, 5-J Purll, 6-M Zaffiri, 7-W Brosnihan, 8-A Zanni

Replacements: G de Carli, L Ghiraldini, L Cittadini, V Bernabo, R Mandelli, M Pratichetti, P Patelli.