Northampton
Edinburgh Reivers
Leinster
Biarritz
Formguide: Take their last nine months as a formguide and Northampton's European Cup triumph seems more like a blip than a continuation of their early rise to the top of the English League last season, with four defeats in eight games. The Heineken hangover has been compounded by injuries to both their full backs and talismanic captain Matt Dawson, who won't be back until late next month.
Biarritz are amongst the nouveau riche of French rugby, qualifying through their domestic cup win. Despite Edinburgh Reivers' dilettante away form in the Welsh/Scottish League (where results matter not a whit to their EC qualification), their home form has held up reasonably well. Worryingly, Leinster's injury troubles suggest that, by the time they come good, it could be too late again.
Star turn: Brian O'Driscoll. It wouldn't be stretching things to say that the gifted one is the most likely gamebreaker of all four pool contestants, but Leinster only discovered the best means of releasing him last season by belatedly opting for Emmet Farrell.
His injury makes solving the number 10 riddle, be it Eddie Hekenui or Andy Dunne, the key to Leinster's chances.
Forecast: A la Leinster's pool last year, home wins could predominate in an open group, with Northampton possibly slightly over-rated and potential first-round departures. Biarritz, a compact team with a big pack and fast backs, are genuine dark horses and probably the best betting value at 3 to 1 while Leinster's pivotal game (recalling their opening defeat to Glasgow last season) is this Friday in Edinburgh. Were it augmented by a home win over Biarritz the following Friday, they would be well-placed to mount a serious challenge for a last eight place.
