Pool-by-pool guides: Heineken Cup
With only hours until Quins, Connacht, Racing and Cardiff Blues kick-off the Heineken Cup, we take you through the runners and riders.
With only hours until Quins, Connacht, Racing-Metro and Cardiff Blues begin the 2011/12 Heineken Cup, we take you through the runners and riders.
Leinster are the current champions and joint favourites to lift the trophy at Twickenham on May 19, but there are a few other sides who'll feature.
Clermont are looking very strong this year while last season's beaten finalists Northampton cannot be written off. Other contenders are Saracens while current Premiership leaders Quins will be underestimated at their rivals' peril.
Pool Guides:
Pool 1 – Castres, Munster, Saints, Scarlets
Pool 2 – Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh, London Irish, Racing Metro
Pool 3 – Bath, Glasgow Warriors, Leinster, Montpellier
Pool 4 – Aironi, Clermont Auvergne, Leicester Tigers, Ulster