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During the mid 2010s era Clermont were a European force to be reckoned with and were often a joy to watch especially at home with their passionate yellow and blue crowd behind them.

But there was always a sense of them being always the bridesmaid and never the bride as they lost three Champions Cup finals in the space of five years. That's not to detract from their fine history and many other trophies won in the past of course.

One of those painful European defeats was to today's opponents Saracens in 2017 when the English side ran out 28-17 winners at Murrayfield.

So while Clermont may not currently be the golden era team of Aurelien Rougerie, Morgan Parra and Cammy Lopez, they still have the likes of talented Puma Bautista Delguy and the experience of Australia's Rob Simmons and All Black George Moala to count on.

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Here is a look at those starting line-ups in full -

Saracens: Daly; Caluori, Cinti, Tompkins, Malins; Farrell, Van Zyl; Carre, Hadfield, Street, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Onyeama-Christie, Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Mawi, Riccioni, Wilson, Michelow, Bracken, Burke, Segun.

Clermont Auvergne: Guillaud; Tauzin, Newsome, Simone, Delguy; Plummer, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fourcade, Ojovan, Lanen, Ratuva, Chalus-Cercy, Hemery, Tolofua.

Replacements: Belkessa, Frisach, Dzmanashvili, Simmons, Michaux Vargas, Bezy, Moala, Dessaigne.

Saracens are without England internationals Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Ben Earl, as well as Argentina back row Juan Martin Gonzalez, as they begin their quest for a fourth European title.

Andy Onyeama-Christie returns to the starting line-up after missing last weekend's Prem defeat against Bath and there are two changes in the front row, where Marcus Street makes his first European start for the club and James Hadfield comes in at hooker for Theo Dan.

Nick Isiekwe starts alongside Hugh Tizard in the second row with Tom Willis at number eight.

The backline is unchanged from the Bath loss with scrum-half Ivan van Zyl captaining the side and Owen Farrell at 10.

Max Malins and the exciting Noah Caluori are on the wings with Champions Cup winner Elliot Daly at full-back.

Clermont, currently ninth in the French Top 14, make eight changes from their win over Stade Francais last weekend with seven players set to make their Champions Cup debuts.

Experienced internationals Rob Simmons and George Moala start on the bench.

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Our first game of the day takes us to the StoneX as Saracens welcome French Top 14 side Clermont.

Sarries are without a few of the international stars but it's still a formidable looking side with a sprinkling of stardust and Mark McCall will be targeting a comfortable home win to kick off the European season at home.

A lot is made of winning home games in the current Champions Cup format and it's certainly going to be important in Saracens' case as they are in a strong pool.

Getting the maximum five points today will be vital with the likes of Toulouse, Sharks, Glasgow and Sale to come.

Champions Cup

• Saracens v Clermont (13:00 GMT)
• Bulls v Bordeaux (15:15)
• La Rochelle v Leicester (17:30)
• Leinster v Harlequins (17:30)
• Bath v Munster (20:00)
• Scarlets v Bristol (20:00)

Challenge Cup

• Stade Francais v Cardiff (13:00)
• Lions v Benetton (13:00)
• Black Lion v Montpellier (15:15)
• Lyon v Newcastle (17:30)
• Zebre v Montauban (20:00)

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Good afternoon and welcome along to what is going to be a bumper day of live European rugby.

There are six Champions Cup games and four Challenge Cup games today and we've got you covered for all the action from now until bedtime.

What could be better than a Saturday on the sofa watching Europe's elite teams going head-to-head in search of glory.

Grab a mulled wine and a mince pie and let's take a look at what's on today's menu - rest assured there are some absolute Christmas crackers.