With the Heineken Cup looming large on the horizon, we take a closer look at each group, starting with Pool One.
EDINBURGH
Coach: Michael Bradley
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
Best finish: Semi-finals in 2012
Key signing: WP Nel
Player to watch: David Denton
Pool odds: 7/1
MUNSTER
Director of rugby: Rob Penney
Captain: Doug Howlett
Best finish: Winners in 2006 and 2008
Key signing: Casey Laulala
Player to watch: Peter O'Mahony
Pool odds: 13/8
SARACENS
Director of rugby: Mark McCall
Captain: Steve Borthwick
Best finish: Semi-finals in 2008
Key signing: Chris Ashton
Player to watch: Schalk Brits
Pool odds: 13/8
RACING METRO
Coach: Pierre Berbizier
Captain: Jacques Cronje
Best finish: Pool stage in 2011 and 2012
Key signing: Olly Barkley
Player to watch: Benjamin Fall
Pool odds: 7/2
How we see it: On paper, Pool One is the toughest to call with any one of the four sides capable of progressing to the quarter-finals. Munster, Saracens and Edinburgh all made it into the last eight last season, with the latter surprising everyone by going one better and reaching the semis. But a top-eight repeat for the Scots will once again come as a shock, considering they're poor form in the Pro12 in which they've only managed just two wins thus far. Saracens, meanwhile, are fourth in the Premiership standings having suffered just one defeat and showed last time out they have enough nous to finish top. In previous years, Munster would normally start as favourites. However, the two-time champions are going through something of a transition and are not quite the force they were. Despite boasting a star-quality squad, Racing Metro had a disappointing campaign last season having lost all of their home games and celebrated one solitary win. Lessons will no doubt have been learned as the Parisians bid to cause an upset or two this time around.
Key fixture(s) in Pool: Edinburgh and Racing have the luxury of playing at home first up against Saracens and Munster respectively, but opening wins are far from guaranteed for the two hosts considering they were both defeated in their own backyard last weekend in the Pro12 and Top 14. An away win for Munster will be ideal with two home games to follow, whilst Saracens have the tricky task of playing three away games on the trot - though one of them is technically a home fixture away from home at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Bottom line is, an opening victory for any one of these teams could go a long way in helping them to a place in the quarters. But expect some drama along the way...
Prediction: 1 Saracens, 2 Munster, 3 Racing Metro, 4 Edinburgh
Fixtures:
13 Oct: Edinburgh v Saracens
13 Oct: Racing Métro v Munster
20 Oct: Saracens v Racing Métro
21 Oct: Munster v Edinburgh
8 Dec: Munster v Saracens
8 Dec: Racing Métro v Edinburgh
14 Dec: Edinburgh v Racing Métro
16 Dec: Saracens v Munster
11/12/13 Jan: Edinburgh v Munster
11/12/13 Jan: Racing Métro v Saracens
18/19/20 Jan: Munster v Racing Métro
18/19/20 Jan: Saracens v Edinburgh
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
@Liam again. PR puts English clubs top 2 times. Agree Sarries are less likely. More likely 4th. But then again I would have Saints beating Ulster before exhaustion kicks in in the finals. When will Mallindar learn?!
Posted 15:02 12th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Liam: Saracens is a South African club with English backs who wish they had brought their gloves but get to the internationals well rested + with game time.
Munster fans: Neil Back is training Edinburgh forwards how to turn over at the scrum half scrum feed.
Posted 14:50 12th October 2012
liam2me says...
How many times are planetrugby going to predict English sides to win their groups ahead of much stronger counterparts only to end up with egg on their face? Saracens will be lucky not to finish bottom of the group, a serious reality check needed for you lot in the office, your rugby knowledge is in serious doubt
Posted 18:57 11th October 2012
damo says...
McNicoll for canterbury is the best 15 i have seen in ages Penny needs to ring home and sign him fast, my opinion on Penny is a lot done more to do, sign this lad full back and the HCis a strong possibility
Posted 22:00 10th October 2012