Preview: I Cavalieri Estra v Harlequins

European rugby returns for another brace of pool games starting this weekend and concluding next weekend with the 6th and final round prior to the knockout stages. On Saturday Harlequins visit Prato in Italy to face I Cavalieri Estra having won the home fixture in October by 55 points to 17. By all accounts the travelling Quins fans will be very warmly welcomed by the Italians, and it promises to be a magnificent weekend off the pitch for those making the trip.

After three very tough Aviva Premiership fixtures, and three very impressive victories, Harlequins are likely to rest some key players this weekend and rely on some of the younger and less experienced members of the squad, as they did for the October home fixture. Then, we were treated to some fine running rugby from the likes of Clegg, Casson, Lowe and Chisholm, and a hat trick of tries from Tom Williams. England internationals Nick Easter and Danny Care are expected to be rested as part of the Elite Player agreement, and it would be no surprise to see players like Robshaw, Robson, Guest, Turner-Hall and Brown given a week off following their Premiership exploits.

The front row selection will be interesting to see bearing in mind that Jones, Johnston and Andress have all taken knocks recently. Presumably given a choice Marler and Lambert would be rested or given half a game at most, but with Darryl Marfo also injured Quins are short of looseheads. So unless he starts the game perhaps Rob Buchanan will come off the bench at half time to replace Marler, and we may see Will Collier starting at tighthead for his senior debut. Indeed it will be Buchanan's senior debut also assuming that he has a part to play. Although now a hooker, Buchanan is no stranger to propping having represented England U16 and U18 at tighthead and loosehead.

Elsewhere in the pack perhaps starting the game we'll see Vallejos and Browne at lock, with Fa'asavalu, Skinner and York making up the back row and Luke Wallace benching. Then again, maybe I'm assuming too much, and COS and JK will take few chances and give 40 minutes to more senior players prior to bringing youth off the bench. My own view is that we should be able to beat Cavalieri with a similar team to that used in the home fixture, assuming we play close to our best. Mind you, Cavalieri are not to be under-estimated, and on the weekend that Quins were losing in France to Bayonne, Cavalieri were beating Connacht in Italy – that was no mean feat for a team making their competition debut.

Elsewhere it should be a big relief for Rory Clegg to get some proper time on the pitch, and renew his pretty lively partnership with Karl Dickson. With front foot ball these two are capable of shredding opposition backlines, with Dickson's snappy service and Clegg's accurate and fast passing. How will out pack perform though, and how much clean quick ball will they produce? I have a feeling this will be a tough fixture up front, particularly if we go with the inexperienced props, and players like Browne and Fa'asavalu in particular will be expected to impose their will on the opposition in both attack and defence.

I expect Quins to win this game, although things like bonus points are of little concern. Winning the pool is entirely in Quins' own hands and before we look ahead to whupping the Frogs next week at The Stoop this weekend's game deserves all our attention. Four points from any type of victory will do, thanks very much. For those making the trip – have a safe journey and enjoy the weekend. For the rest of us let's hope there is some radio commentary somewhere, otherwise it will be 80 odd minutes spent staring at the BBC live scores screen. Buona fortuna.