Heineken Cup pool-by-pool guide

Can anyone stop Leinster from becoming the first side to win three successive Heineken Cup titles?

Ulster rugby director David Humphreys, whose side lost 42-14 to the Dublin-based province in last season's final, believes they are "almost unbeatable on their day" while ex-England hooker Brian Moore reckons "they are the closest thing, club-wise, to the All Blacks in the northern hemisphere".

But if not Leinster, who are in a heavyweight pool with fellow contenders Clermont Ferrand, then where to look for potential winners?

Can Ulster, unbeaten this season, go one better this year? Are four-time champions Toulouse, or Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon, poised to take the cup back to France? Could Harlequins, 2010 finalists Northampton, or Saracens provide a first English success in six years? Will there be a first Welsh or Scottish winner?

Once again there are 24 teams - seven French, six English, four Irish, three Welsh, two Scottish, two Italian - in six pools of four. The pool winners, plus two best runners-up, progress to the quarter-finals.

We assess the prospects for each pool and former England centre Jeremy Guscott gives his verdict as the 18th season of Europe's most prestigious club competition returns.

POOL ONE

A well-balanced pool where each side has legitimate hopes and a Test fly-half to boot. Two-time champions Munster have the pedigree and passion if not the aura of old, Saracens the steel and savvy to win, if not in a style the romantics enjoy. Edinburgh surprised many with their run to the semis last season, and no-one will complain if the entertainment matches that on offer when they met Racing - not noted Euro-philes, but with plenty of Euros - in an epic group encounter last year.

Edinburgh

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: semi-finals, best: semi-finals in 11-12

Star player: Flanker David Denton

Coach: Michael Bradley

Position in Pro12 League in 2011-12: 11th. Current: 9th

Munster

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: quarter-finals, best: champions in 05-06 and 07-08

Star player: Lock Paul O'Connell

Coach: Rob Penney

Position in Pro12 League in 2011-12: 3rd (semi-finalists). Current: 5th

Racing Metro

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: third in Pool 2, best: third in Pool 2, 10-11

Star player: Fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez

Coach: Gonzalo Quesada

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 6th. Current: 7th

Saracens

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: first in Pool 5, best: semi-finals in 07-08

Star player: Fly-half Charlie Hodgson

Coach: Mark McCall

Position in Premiership in 2011-12: 3rd (semi-finalists). Current: 4th

Jeremy Guscott's view: "This is going to be a grinding pool, especially with Saracens and Racing Metro - neither team scores or concedes many tries. Edinburgh have not had the greatest of starts to the season and must start with a win against Sarries to give them belief.

"Munster would be my favourites to top the group because of their knack of winning away."

POOL TWO

One of two "pools of death" with three genuine contenders plus Treviso, who are capable of upsetting any of them when they travel to Italy. Four-time champions Toulouse have the class and charisma of perennial favourites; Leicester are not the force that brought them two consecutive titles a decade ago but remain formidable opponents. The Ospreys, three-time quarter-finalists, have flattered to deceive in Europe but have shown themselves capable of winning big one-off matches as Pro12 champions.

Benetton Treviso

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: fourth in Pool 5, best: second in group in 95-96

Star player: Number eight Robert Barbieri

Coach: Franco Smith

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 10th. Current: 8th

Leicester

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: third in Pool 4, best: champions 00-01 and 01-02

Star player: Scrum-half Ben Youngs

Coach: Richard Cockerill

Position in Premiership in 2011-12: 2nd (finalists). Current: 3rd

Ospreys

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: third in Pool 5, best: quarter-finals in 07-08, 08-09 and 09-10

Star player: Prop Adam Jones

Coach: Steve Tandy

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 2nd (champions). Current: 6th

Toulouse

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: quarter-finals, best: champions 95-96, 02-03, 04-05 and 09-10

Star player: Fly-half Luke McAlister

Coach: Guy Noves

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 1st (champions). Current: 2nd

Guscott's view: "Toulouse are the stand-out team in this pool by a mile and it will only be their unpredictability away from home that will give the rest hope. Italians Treviso are no longer the whipping boys of the Heineken Cup and will give a good account of themselves at home.

"Leicester and Ospreys will struggle to qualify unless they can heap points on Treviso in their home games. Toulouse to win the pool, Tigers or Ospreys possibly to qualify as well."

POOL THREE

Zebre are the whipping boys of the Pro12, never mind the Heineken, and the likes of Biarritz and Harlequins won't have earned their stripes unless they rack up two bonus-point wins against the Italians. Biarritz, who won the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup last year, have a proud Heineken history while English champions Quins hope their high-tempo brand of rugby will yield similar rewards in Europe. They will be wary though of Connacht, where their hopes of progress came unstuck last year.

Biarritz

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: second in Pool 5 (Amlin Challenge Cup champions), best: runners-up in 05-06 and 09-10

Star player: Scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili

Coach: Laurent Rodriguez

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 9th (qualified as Amlin Challenge Cup champions). Current: 8th

Connacht

Heineken Cup pedigree - fourth in Pool 6, best: fourth in pool in 2011-2012 (debut)

Star player: Full-back Gavin Duffy

Coach: Eric Elwood

Position in Celtic League in 2011-12: 8th. Current: 10th

Harlequins

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: second in Pool 6, best: quarter-finals 96-97, 97-98 and 08-09

Star player: Fly-half Nick Evans

Coach: Conor O'Shea

Position in Premiership in 2011-12: 1st (champions). Current: 2nd

Zebre

Heineken Cup pedigree - tournament debut

Star player: Flanker Mauro Bergamasco

Coach: Roberto Manghi

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: (in former incarnation as Aironi) 12th. Current: Bottom

Guscott's view: "At first glance most would say Harlequins and Biarritz to qualify but bear in mind Quins crucially lost away to minnows Connacht last season, and Biarritz have slipped into the bottom half of the Top 14 after a bright start. Although Connacht will cause problems at home, the out-classed Zebre make it easy for two teams to qualify.

"If Quins have any aspirations to win the Heineken Cup they must win the pool to get a home draw. Quins and Biarritz to qualify, with Quins winning the group."

POOL FOUR

Another well-matched group featuring two recent finalists and a coming force in Glasgow. Northampton looked well set in the 2011 final before succumbing to a stunning Leinster onslaught, while Ulster were similarly overrun by the boys in blue last season. Saints and Ulster have both started well domestically, while Glasgow - capable of one-off wins in Europe - are becoming a more consistent threat. Castres have adopted a 'take-it-or-leave-it' approach in the past, but remain a power at home.

Castres

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: fourth in Pool 1, best: semi-finals in 11-12

Star player: Second row/number eight Iosefa Tekori

Coach: Laurent Labit

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 4th. Current: 6th

Glasgow

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: second in Pool 3, best: quarter-final play-off in 97-98

Star player: Full-back Stuart Hogg

Coach: Gregor Townsend

Position in Celtic League in 2011-12: 4th (semi-finalists). Current: 3rd

Northampton

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: third in Pool 1, best: champions in 99-00

Star player: Second row/flanker Courtney Lawes

Coach: Jim Mallinder

Position in Premiership in 2011-12: 4th (semi-finalists). Current: 1st

Ulster

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: finalists, best: champions 98-99

Star player: Winger Tommy Bowe

Coach: Mark Anscombe

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 6th. Current: 1st

Guscott's view: "Ulster will be favourites to qualify, particularly after their unbeaten start to the Pro12, but they will do well to get as far as last year. Northampton have the ability to do well but must see off Glasgow at home this weekend to get over last weekend's hammering at Irish.

"Castres and Glasgow will struggle to qualify, while Ulster will win the group."

POOL FIVE

The other "pool of death" where one of the heavyweight contenders could miss out on the knock-out stages. Leinster have broadened European rugby's horizons with some dazzling rugby in recent years, but were hanging on in an epic semi-final last season against Clermont, who again have the look of potential champions themselves. Scarlets can also play exhilarating rugby, while Exeter will relish their role as underdogs.

Clermont Auvergne

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: semi-finalists, best: semi-finals in 11-12

Star player: Centre Aurelien Rougerie

Coach: Vern Cotter

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 2nd. Current: 3rd

Exeter

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: did not qualify. Tournament debut

Star player: Flanker Tom Johnson

Coach: Rob Baxter

Position in Premiership in 2011-12: 5th. Current: 6th

Leinster

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: champions, best: champions 08-09, 10-11 and 11-12

Star player: Fly-half Jonathan Sexton

Coach: Joe Schmidt

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 1st (finalists). Current: 4th

Scarlets

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: second in Pool 1, best: semi-finals in 99-00, 01-02 and 06-07

Star player: Winger George North

Coach: Simon Easterby

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 5th. Current: 2nd

Guscott's view: "This pool really is mad. Leinster, Clermont and Scarlets all attempt to play the game as it should be played, with the emphasis on attack. Debutants Exeter will make it very difficult for all three at home but lack the depth of squad to challenge on two fronts - they will thoroughly enjoy the journey though.

"I suspect there will only be one qualifier from this pool and it will be decided by the games between Leinster and Clermont in rounds three and four. Clermont are helped by getting first go at home, but I expect Leinster to win the pool."

POOL SIX

No outstanding favourite, though Toulon - who have assembled a ridiculously star-studded squad and won five out of six away games in the Top 14 so far - have grand designs on a first proper tilt at the Heineken, having twice come up short in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup. Compatriots Montpellier are a more flighty proposition but drew with Leinster last year, while Cardiff Blues have star quality but remain wildly inconsistent. Sale - winless so far this season - start as rank outsiders.

Cardiff Blues

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: quarter-finals, best: runners-up in 95-96

Star player: Flanker Sam Warburton

Coach: Phil Davies

Position in Pro12 in 2011-12: 7th. Current: 7th

Montpellier

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: fourth in Pool 3, best: fourth in pool (debut last year)

Star player: Back rower Mamuka Gorgodze

Coach: Fabien Galthie

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 5th. Current: 4th

Sale

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: did not qualify, best: quarter-finals in 05-06

Star player: Second row Richie Gray

Coach: Bryan Redpath

Position in Premiership 2011-12: 6th. Current: Bottom

Toulon

Heineken Cup pedigree - last year: did not qualify (Amlin Challenge Cup finalists), best: quarter-finals in 10-11

Star player: Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson

Coach: Bernard Laporte

Position in Top 14 in 2011-12: 3rd. Current: 1st

Guscott's view: "It's really difficult to look past Toulon as winners of this group because of the strength of their squad - Jonny Wilkinson is just one of a host of big names. Nothing in the form of Sale and Blues suggests they are going to feature but if their quality players are fit and find form, then on paper at least they are pretty good teams.

"Montpellier at home will be very difficult to beat if they are serious about the cup, but their neighbours from along the Mediterranean coast, Toulon, will win the group."