Heineken Cup 2009-10

Pool 1 By their own standards last season was a bit of a damp squib for Munster, but they are still top of the European rankings by a healthy margin after winning the competition twice in four seasons. The Irish regional system might have been made for the Heineken Cup, and Munster and Leinster will be the teams to beat. What we don’t know is just how seriously Perpignan will take the competition. If they commit 100% they could upturn the applecart in fine fashion. And don’t overlook Northampton’s capacity to surprise. Saturday night at Franklins Gardens when Munster come calling and the following Friday when Northampton play Perpignan will tell us a lot about this group which, because of the Italian connection, could provide a second qualifier. Prediction 1 Munster 2 Perpignan 3 Northampton 4 Treviso Photograph: Barry Cronin/PA Archive/Press Association Ima

Pool 1 Most Influential player Shane Geraghty Club Northampton Saints Age 23 Position Fly-half/centre Heineken Cup appearances 9 (with London Irish) Tries 4 Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Pool 2 There’s not a lot to choose between all four here, but I’ve gone for Biarritz because, under the new coaching set-up of John Isaac and Jean-Michel Gonzalez, they are beginning to play a lot more rugby than was the norm during the latter days of Patrice Lagisquet. Then they had a formidable reputation for consistency – based on a sensational home record – without ever getting their hands on the big prize. Gloucester could be in for a difficult time tonight, when Newport Gwent Dragons look to go one better than last season. Then they ran Gloucester and Bath close and you have to admire what Paul Turner has done on fairly short rations. However, I’ve a hunch that Glasgow could have their best season. I was impressed pre-season and they have since beaten Cardiff Blues in Cardiff, Munster and the Scarlets. Prediction 1 Biarritz 2 Glasgow 3 Gloucester 4 Newport Gwent Dragons Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Pool 2 Most influential player Imanol Harinordoquy Club Biarritz Olympique Age 29 Position No8 Heineken Cup appearances 31 Tries 4 Photograph: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

Pool 3 This flies in the face of what the bookies will no doubt say, but I’m taking the Ospreys to go through as the top club. That doesn’t mean I’m discounting last year’s runners up, Leicester. I think they will go through as one of the two best runners up. For now though, I think Ospreys after their 26-16 Magner’s League win in Glasgow are closer to clicking than Leicester. And then there is Clermont, serial losers at the last knockings in the Top 14 who failed again in the final in France last season. It would be understandable if Vern Cotter was more interested in protecting his current top spot rather than fighting on two fronts. Prediction 1 Ospreys 2 Leicester 3 Clermont Avergne 4 Viadana Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Pool 3 Most influential player Mike Phillips Club Ospreys Age 27 Position Scrum-half Heineken Cup appearances 26 Tries 0 Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA Archive/Press Association Ima

Pool 4 More than any other group, an away win is going to be essential here in what could be the lowest scoring of the pools. A Friday night at Ravenhill is not where Bath would want to start a European campaign. It inevitably blows, often rains and there always seems to be someone called Humphreys to cause tactical pain before harvesting the points. Ian has followed David and against the Scarlets in the Magners League last week he rattled up another 20 points. But having got over a terrible start to the season and sacked their coach, I like Stade’s momentum. They’ve won three out of their last four starts in the Top 14, Sergio Parisse has recently returned from suspension and they are at home in the first round. Stade have the talent to go all the way, even if recently they have tended to flatter more than achieve. Prediction 1 Stade Francais 2 Bath 3 Ulster 4 Edinburgh Photograph: Thibault Camus/AP

Pool 4 Most influential player Stephen Ferris Club Ulster Age 24 Position Flanker Heineken Cup appearances 11 Tries 0 Photograph: John Gichigi/Getty Images

Pool 5 Not so long ago, all you had to do was mention Toulouse among rugby’s chattering classes to provoke a sharp intake of breath and comparisons with Real Madrid. Now there is a danger of underestimating the potential of Guy Noves’s side. They had an indifferent season in Europe and are struggling to put wins together but then again the rest of this pool isn’t setting the world on fire either. Cardiff Blues, without their Lions, have been nothing like the side that came within a kick of last season’s final, but Jamie Roberts and Gethin Jenkins are available again even if Martyn Williams is not; Harlequins are one win from five and didn’t the relief show when Nick Easter got the ball down to beat Bath on Saturday; and Sale still appear to be getting over the exodus to Toulon plus Charlie Hodgson’s stubbed toe. Prediction 1 Toulouse 2 Harlequins 3 Cardiff Blues 4 Sale Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Pool 5 Most Influential player Frederic Michalak Club Stade Toulouse Age 26 Position Outside half/scrum-half Heineken Cup appearances 41 Tries 7 Photograph: Remy Gabalda/AFP/Getty Images

Pool 6 Leinster have done some serious recruiting since taking the title. They have lost Rocky Elsom and Felipe Contepomi but the balance is restored with the arrival of Nathan Hines, Eoin Reddan and the Quins prop Mike Ross – one of those remarkable players, a tight-head who rarely seems to get injured. The form line and the 30-0 humbling of Munster in the Magner’s League suggests London Irish will have their hands full in Dublin tonight. Toby Booth’s side are clearly the form team in the Premiership and playing some attractive rugby. My main worry is whether they have the squad to fight successfully on two fronts while giving their England elite players the rest demanded by Twickenham. The Scarlets have won just once in the Magners while Brive, little England in the south of France, have lost three of the last four. Prediction 1 Leinster 2 London Irish 3 Scarlets 4 Brive Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Pool 6 Most influential player Brian O'Driscoll Club Leinster Age 30 Position Centre Heineken Cup appearances 60 Tries 25 Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images