What time and TV channel is Connacht vs Saracens in the Champions Cup? Stream info, betting odds and more

Connacht will look to turn the heat up on three-time European champions Saracens in front of a sell-out, enthusiastic crowd for the Dexcom's first European game.

Stuart Lancaster has opted for a solid backline which will have Ciaran Frawley at out-half and Bundee Aki to 'look after' him from one out while there is plenty of pace in the Sam Gilbert, Finn Treacy, Shane Jennings back-three.

The coach will be mindful that this contest could be an arm-wrestle up front which will mean there will be a extra burden on the front-row to dig in early and dig in well.

New signing Francois van Wyk is loosehead, the Academy's Matthew Victory hooker while Sam Illo, capped by Ireland during the summer, is on the tighthead side.

The westerners may have to brace themselves though for the last quarter as there is are a set of inexperienced replacements, Eoin de Buitlear, Billy Bohan and Thomas Connolly

England and Lions star Owen Farrell starts at out-half for Saracens partnering Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams with England stars Maro Itoje and Ben Earl in the back-row.

Who: Connacht vs Saracens

What: European Champions Cup 1st round

Where: Dexcom Stadium, Galway

When: Saturday, October 17th

Connacht Coach Stuart Lancaster says: "There’s a huge amount of excitement in the squad ahead of tomorrow. We fought hard to get back playing Champions Cup rugby, and now that we’re here we want to seize the opportunity. We’re playing 4 past winners so the draw couldn’t have been much tougher, but it’s a great opportunity to pit ourselves against the best teams in Europe.

"I obviously know Saracens well. They’re full of quality internationals and have made a strong start to the season, so we’re well aware of the task ahead of us but it’s one we’re relishing. In terms of our selection, Mack and Finlay are rested after playing in the first 3 games of the season, and tomorrow has come a bit too soon for the likes of Will Connors, Dave Heffernan and Harry West, but they’ve all completed training this week and should be available for Zebre next week.”

Betting: Connacht 7/5 Draw 50/1 Saracens 4/7

Handicap: Connact plus-4 10/11

Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)

TV: Premier Sports / beIN SPORTS / SuperSport / FloRugby / epcrugby.tv

15. Sam Gilbert, 14. Finn Treacy, 13. Cathal Forde, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Shane Jennings, 10. Ciaran Frawley, 9. Colm Reilly, 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. Matthew Victory, 3. Sam Illo, 4. Darragh Murray, 5. Josh Murphy, 6. Cian Prendergast (c), 7. Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8. Sean Jansen

Replacements: 16. Eoin de Buitlear, 17. Billy Bohan, 18. Thomas Connolly, 19. Niall Murray, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Caolin Blade, 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Daniel Ryan

15. Elliot Daly, 14. Noah Caluori, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Sione Vaenuku, 11. Rotimi Segun, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Jamie George, 3. Marcus Street, 4. Olamide Sodeke, 5. Hugh Tizard, 6. Maro Itoje (c), 7. Toby Knight, 8. Ben Earl

Replacements: 16. Eoghan Clarke, 17. Phil Brantingham, 18. Corne Weilbach, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Nathan Michelow, 21. Alfie Barbeary, 22. Tom James, 23. Fergus Burke