A look at the movers and shakers
LEINSTER
Ground: RDS (18,500).
Coach: Joe Schmidt.
Captain: Leo Cullen.
Prospects: Despite Lions fallout and departure of Elsom, Contepomi and Whitaker, Leinster competed resourcefully, topping the table, before European campaign and playing their final in the semis against Munster caught up with them. Now comes a brave if uncertain new dawn under Joe Schmidt. Have also lost a core of experienced players, but Luke Fitzgerald is back with a vengeance.
IN: Ed O’Donoghue (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Ulster), Heinke van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Mariano Galarza (Univ de La Plata), Joe Schmidt (head coach – Clermont), Guy Easterby (team manager), Greg Feek (scrum coach), Richie Murphy (senior skills and kicking coach.
OUT: CJ Van Der Linde (Cheetahs), Simon Keogh (released), Chris Keane (released), Malcolm O’Kelly (retired), Girvan Dempsey (retired), Bernard Jackman (retired), Michael Cheika (coach – Stade Francais), Chris Whittaker (team manager – Stade Francais), Alan Gaffney (backs coach – IRFU), Kurt McQuilkin (defence coach – retired), Kyle Tonetti (Sale).
Formguide: 1st (btn in final), 3rd, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 5th in pool, winners.
Odds: 5/2.
ULSTER
Ground: Ravenhill (12,500).
Coach: Brian McLaughlin.
Captain: Rory Best.
Prospects: Backed by the IRFU, they’ve been relatively big close-season spenders, and the arrival of three heavyweight South Africans with 86 Springboks caps between them ought to see them push on after three successive lower-end finishes. Ruan Pienaar, who might just as readily slot in at outhalf, looks the Irish signing of the summer while the experienced Johann Muller, the 2 metres (6’ 7”), 114kg ex-Sharks captain, ends a long, long search for an imposing lock. Along with the Dragons, look the biggest threat to the big four.
IN: Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Johann Muller (Sharks), Pedrie Wannenburg (Bulls).
OUT: Ed O’Donoghue (Leinster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier), Cillian Willis (Connacht).
Formguide: 8th, 8th, 9th, 5th, 1st, 8th, 2nd, s/f, s/f.
Odds: 20/1.
SCARLETS
Ground: Parc y Scarlets (15,020).
Coach: Nigel Davies.
Captain: Matthew Rees.
Prospects: Probably better than last season, even if that wouldn’t be difficult. David Lyons, ever-present last season, backs up Matthew Rees as vice captain along with Stephen Jones, and they’ve further bulked up their backrow with the capture of Samoan Jonny Fa’amatuainu. Play the two Italian sides, Connacht and the Dragons in their first four games. The key will be how their mid-20s locks stand tall, how their previously weak scrum holds up and how Simon Easterby shores up a porous defence.
IN: Joe Ajuwa (Llandovery), Gavin Quinnell (Viadana), Jonny Fa’amatuainu (Bath, loan), Robin McBryde (forwards coach), Simon Easterby (defence coach), Mark Evans (skills coach).
OUT: Rob Higgitt (Worcester), Darren Daniel (Carmarthen), Jamie Corsi (released), Simon Easterby (retired), Mark Evans (retired), John Muggleton (defence coach).
Formguide: 9th, 5th, 6th, 4th, 6th, 5th, 1st, 5th in pool, q/f.
Odds: 30/1.
MUNSTER
Ground: Thomond Park (26,000), Musgrave Park (8,000).
Coach: Tony McGahan.
Captain: Paul O’Connell.
Prospects: Signs last season that time was catching up with the old juggernaut and though Leamy is back O’Connell remains sidelined until November. Tony McGahan has clearly prioritised the scrum with the capture of Wian Du Preez and Peter Borlase. Still more than enough talent for play-off position, all the more so if Sam Tuitupou revives their midfield, while Johne Murphy is a good signing. In the heel of the hunt, a crack at a third Holy Grail in Europe may take precedence.
IN: Johne Murphy (Leicester), Sam Tuitupou (Worcester), Wian Du Preez (Cheetahs), Peter Borlase (Crusaders), Corey Hircock (Bedford), Anthony Foley (assistant/defence coach), Paul McCarthy (full-time scrum coach), Mick Galwey (advisor).
OUT: Nick Williams (Aironi), Jeremy Manning (Newcastle), Julien Brugnaut (Racing Metro), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Ciaran O’Boyle (released).
Formguide: 4th (btn s/f), winners, 3rd, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 7th, winners, r/up.
Odds: 4/1.
OSPREYS
Ground: Liberty Stadium (20,520).
Coaches: Sean Holley/Scott Johnson.
Captain: Alun Wyn-Jones.
Prospects: Buoyed by last season’s third league title, achieved by completing a clean sweep of four wins in each of the Irish provinces. A host of young talent emerging to compete with the stellar names, and though there are injury concerns about Ryan Jones and Mike Phillips the latter should see more action and arguably nobody has the same strength in depth to maintain challenges on two different fronts.
IN: Dai Flanagan (Cardiff), Richard Fussell (Dragons), Mefin Davies (Leicester), Morgan Allen (Pontypool).
OUT: Ed Shervington (Worcester), Marc Breeze (London Welsh), Liam Davies (Dax), Ross Davies (released), Jonny Vaughton (released), Lyndon Bateman (retired), Filo Tiatia (retired).
Formguide: 2nd (won final), 4th, 7th, 1st, 7th, 1st, 5th, Neath s/f Swansea 6th in pool, Neath q/f and Swansea 5th in pool.
Odds: 5/2.
CONNACHT
Ground: Sportsground (cap 5,000); Dubarry Park (4,000).
Coach: Eric Elwood.
Captain: John Muldoon.
Prospects: Much less of a player turnover than last summer, with most of the squad retained despite the IRFU one-year cap on new contracts, though Ezra Taylor has a huge task filling George Naoupu’s boots and John Muldoon misses the first six weeks. They’ll be bold and brave, but a 28-game competitive season for a full-time squad of 30 will require massive luck with injuries.
IN: Shane Monahan (Leinster), Darragh Fanning (Leinster), Cillian Willis (Ulster), Ezra Taylor (Queensland Reds), Eric Elwood (head coach), Mike Forshaw (defence coach), Brian Melrose (backs coach).
OUT: George Naoupu (Kobe Kobelco Steelers), Kieran Campbell (retired), Michael Bradley (head coach – retired)
Formguide: 2009-10 – 10th. 08-09 – 10th. 2007-08 – 10th (of 10), 06-07 – 10th (of 11), 05-06 – 10th (of 11), 04-05 – 10th (of 11), 03-04 – 9th (of 12), 02-03 – q/f, 01-02 – q/f.
Odds (Paddy Power): 225/1.
BENETTON TREVISO
Ground: Stadio Comunale di Monigo (6,700).
Coach: Franco Smith.
Captain: Antonio Pavanello.
Prospects: With a stronger base than Aironi, the more established Italian powerhouse have been more selective in cherry-picking from around the rest of Italy while also bringing in the likes of prolific ex-Bath winger Joe Maddock. The Stadio Comunale di Monigo will be a tough place to visit. They'll be fired up like crazy next weekend for their bow in the competition and may be a good bet for an opening day win over the Scarlets for starters.
IN: Matteo Pratichetti (Viadana), Michele Sepe (Viadana), Gonzalo Padro (Petrarca), Paul Derbyshire (Petrarca), Manoa Vosawai (Overmach Parma), Francesco Minto (Overmach Parma), Edoardo Gori (Cavalieri Prato), Valerio Bernabò (Rugby Roma), Joe Maddock (Bath).
OUT: Dion Kingi (Padova), Michele Suto (Padova), Silvio Orlando (Marchiol Mogliano), Steven Bortolussi (Padova), Emiliano Mulieri (Marchiol Mogliano), Fraser Waters (retired).
Odds: 200/1.
GLASGOW
Ground: Firhill (11,000).
Coach: Sean Lineen.
Captain: Alistair Kellock.
Prospects: Nominated here as a likely "surprise package" last season they duly earned a semi-final place. Alas, name their top 10 players from last season and they're nearly all missing for months or for good. Thom Evans has been forced to retire, while Dan Parks and Kelly Brown have gone, and John Beattie, John Barclay, Chris Cusiter and Kellock are all out for the first couple of months.
IN: Tom Ryder (Saracens), Ryan Grant (Edinburgh), Federico Martin Aramburu (Dax), Robert Harley (West of Scotland), James Fleming (Dundee), Ryan Wilson (Moseley), Aly Muldowney (Moseley), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Hawks), Alex Dunbar (Selkirk), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's FP), Henry Pyrgos (Loughborough), Colin Shaw (Scotland 7s).
OUT: Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Mark McMillan (Bath), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Dan Turner (Toyota Shokki Shuttles), Tim Barker (released), Justin Va'a (released), Chris Kinloch (released).
Formguide: 3rd (btn s/f), 7th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 6th, 11th, q/f, s/f.
Odds: 22/1.
CARDIFF BLUES
Ground: Cardiff City Stadium (26,500).
Coach: David Young.
Captain: Paul Tito.
Prospects: Handicapped by injuries for much of the first half of last season they came good and like the Ospreys come into this campaign buoyed by their excellent Challenge Cup success against Toulon. That marked a psychological threshold and with a relatively settled but extensive squad, they've been quite chipper about targeting an overdue first league title. To that end, Dan Parks will be a reliable source of points in the depths of winter.
IN: Dan Parks (Glasgow), Michael Paterson (Hurricanes), Tom Brown (London Welsh), Bryn Griffiths (Doncaster), Tom Davies (Doncaster).
OUT: Scott Morgan (Dragons), Dai Flanagan (Ospreys), Darren Allinson (London Irish), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Dragons), Sam Norton-Knight (Sanyo Wild Knights), Andy Powell (London Wasps), Billy Millard (backs coach – retired).
Formguide: 5th, 6th, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 9th, 6th, s/f, 5th in pool.
Odds: 4/1.
AIRONI RUGBY
Ground: Stadio Luigi Zaffanella (6,000).
Coach: Franco Bernini.
Captain: Quintin Geldenhuys.
Prospects: Virtually a new team to go with their new entity, but with over 20 recruits and 18 internationals in their ranks, oughtn't be dismissed lightly. The prodigal return of five Azzurri tight-five forwards is one reason obvious reason why. May take time to settle, but will pick up home wins.
IN: K Robertson (Viadana), C del Fava (Viadana), Q Geldenhuys (Viadana), Gl Pizarro (Rovigo), A de Marchi (Rovigo), A de Marchi (Overmach Parma), F Ongaro (Saracens), M Aguero (Saracens), L Mercier (Petrarca), S Favaro (Overmach Parma), R Quartaroli (Overmach Parma), N Cattina (Calvisano), G Venditti (Gran Parma), G Rubini (Gran Parma), T Tebaldi (Gran Parma), G Biagi (Cavalieri Prato), G Krause (Venezia), R Bocchino (Roma), P Buso (Roma), N Williams (Munster), M Bortolami (Gloucester), F Staibano (Castres), S Perugini (Bayonne), J Laharrague (Montauban), D Demas (Cheetahs), D Des Fountain (Stormers), G Pizarro (Rovigo), G Rubini (Gran Parma), P Buso (Roma), L Milani (Viadana), L Redolfini (Viadana), P Sciamanna (Viadana), R Santamaria (Viadana), L Ferraro (Viadana), J Furno (Viadana), A Birchall (Viadana), A Benatti (Viadana), J Sole (Viadana), P Canavosio (Viadana), R Pavan (Overmach Parma), M Wilson (Viadana), V Liebenberg (Brive).
Odds: 200/1.
DRAGONS
Ground: Rodney Parade (11,600).
Coach: Paul Turner.
Captain: Tom Willis.
Prospects: The unheralded Turner, helped by the unsung Darren Edwards, made them something of a force last season and they will probably again be taken a tad too lightly. They may have again bought judiciously with Scott Morgan's arrival further stiffening up their secondrow options. Should be mid-table again, though a 28-game campaign will pose bigger demands of them.
IN: Matthew Jones (Worcester), Hugo Ellis (Wasps), Arthur Ellis (London Wasps), Nicky Griffiths (Doncaster), Andrew Coombs (Newport), Matt Evans (Hartpury College), Scott Morgan (Cardiff), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Danny Wilson (forwards skills coach – London Welsh).
OUT: Richard Fussell (Ospreys), Hoani MacDonald (Melbourne Rebels), Grant Webb (Otago), James Arlidge (Nottingham), James Harris (released), Alex Walker (released)
Formguide: 7th, 9th, 8th, 9th, 8th, 4th, 3rd, Newport 8th in pool, Newport q/f.
Odds: 50/1.
EDINBURGH
Ground: Murrayfield (67,500).
Coach: Rob Moffat.
Captain: Roddy Grant.
Prospects: Head coach Andy Robinson has moved on while Edinburgh have trimmed their cloth. Even so, Alex Grove, Scotland's outstanding performer in their autumn series last year, looks a useful acquisition along with Fijian backrower Netani Talei and Puma lock Esteban Lozada. Leading try and points scorers last season (with second worst defence) they should again be a lively mid-table outfit and may well usurp Glasgow.
IN: Netani Talei (Worcester), Alex Grove (Worcester), Jack Gilding (Worcester), Esteban Lozada (Toulon), Dave Denton (Edinburgh Academicals), Stuart McInally, (Edinburgh University), James King (Melrose), Lee Jones (Selkirk), Alex Blair (Scotland National Academy), Fraser Brown (Watsonians), Lewis Niven (Scotland National Academy).
OUT: Steve Jones (Exeter Chiefs), Ryan Grant (Glasgow), Ali Hogg (Newcastle Falcons), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Dave Callam (released), Simon Cross (retired).
Formguide: 6th, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 5th, 7th, 10th, q/f, 6th in pool.
Odds: 18/1.
