Heineken Cup Guide: Pool-by-Pool

With the Heineken Cup poised to kick-off on Friday, we preview this season's tournament.

With the Heineken Cup poised to kick-off on Friday, we preview this season's tournament pool-by-pool.

It promises to be another cracker as the big names clash at the start of an eight-month journey for European club rugby's coveted prize.

There's one foursome that immediately has you reaching for your TV reminder button, as Toulon, London Irish, Munster and Ospreys collide.

But not to be outdone are Clermont, Leinster, Racing-Metro and Saracens, who are drawn together for one that also whets the appetite.

Elsewhere and no one can argue that Toulouse find themselves in a rather snug group alongside Glasgow, Wasps and the Dragons, which is why they have been installed as pre-tournament favourites. Leicester and Clermont are joint-second in the list.

Treviso are set to meet Perpignan for a staggering third successive season in the Pool stages while Ulster and the Recreation Ground outfit are together again following 2009/10.

Click on the each of the pools below to get the full preview.

Pool One:
Cardiff Blues
Castres
Edinburgh
Northampton

Pool Two:
Clermont Auvergne
Leinster
Racing Metro Paris
Saracens

Pool Three:
London Irish
Munster
Ospreys
Toulon

Pool Four:
Viadana
Bath
Biarritz
Ulster

Pool Five:
Treviso
Leicester
Perpignan
Scarlets

Pool Six:
Glasgow Warriors
Dragons
Toulouse
London Wasps