Sale Sharks return to Heineken Cup action after an absence of two seasons, opening up against Cardiff Blues next Sunday lunchtime (kick off 12.45pm). Not only will it be the first time that a game in the prestigious competition has been played at the club's new home ground, it will also be the first time that BBC Radio 5 Live have ever presented their entire programme from a Sale Sharks match!

Here's a quick look at our Heineken Cup opponents:

Cardiff Blues

Home - Sunday 14th October 2012 ( KO 12.45pm)
Away - 18th/19th/20th January 2013

Cardiff Blues are currently 7th in the RaboDirect PRO12 League, with a record of three wins and three defeats.

Victories were against Connacht (A), Dragons (A) and Benetton Treviso (H).

Men to watch are flanker Sam Warburton, centre Jamie Roberts and winger Leigh Halfpenny.

In their last three matches, they lost 3-18 at home to Glasgow, lost 19-48 at home to Ulster and beat Benetton Treviso at home 34-18.

Montpellier

Home - 10th/11th/12th January 2013
Away - Sunday 21st October 2012 (KO 4pm)

Montpellier are currently 4th in the Top 14, with a record of five wins and three defeats.

The club stands five points behind Clermont and Toulouse and nine points behind Toulon.

Men to watch include fly half Francois Trinh-Duc, centre Shontayne Hape, winger Matt Carraro and the aptly named back row, Remy Martin.

In their last three matches they won 16-12 at Racing, won 19-12 at home to Castres and beat Bordeaux away, 23-15.

Toulon

Home - Sunday 8th December 2012 (KO 3.40pm)
Away - Sunday 16th December 2012 (KO 4pm)

Toulon are currently leaders of the French Top 14, with seven wins out of eight.

The vast number of men to watch include The Armitage brothers, 'Bakkies' Botha, Sebastien Bruno, Juan-Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Matt Giteau, Carl Hayman, Gareth Jenkins, Nick Kennedy, Frederic Michalak, Alexis Palisson, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan and Jonny Wilkinson.

In their last three matches they won 36-9 at Biarritz; lost 9-32 at Toulouse( whilst 'resting' several big names) and beat Castres 33-12 at home.

Buy all three tickets for the Heineken Cup group stage fixtures at Salford City Stadium and save up to 35% on adult tickets, 47% on junior tickets and 41% on concession tickets!

Prices for all three Heineken Cup qualifiers:

To buy your discounted tickets for the Heineken Cup qualifiers call our ticket office on 08444 994 994, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Alternatively, email ticketoffice@salesharks.com with the subject line "Heineken Cup discounted tickets".