Picture will be clearer after big weekend

Toulouse are fallible, Leicester are in decline, Leinster haven't got out of third gear, fortress Ravenhill is exactly that and Munster still possess the palate for French delicacies.

The first third of the European Cup pool stages whetted the appetite and, as the tournament reaches the halfway point this weekend, the state of play in most of the six pools suggests that January will be an interesting time, with few teams consigned to the periphery.

Edinburgh confounded the pre-tournament formbook by turning over Toulouse at home, and in doing so suggested that the reigning champions are not quite the shoo-in for a quarter-final place many had anticipated.

Trevor Brennan and his colleagues are still firm favourites to emerge from Pool Two, but at least the Scottish side should make them work for the privilege.

For Edinburgh to sustain that momentum and put behind them their Celtic Cup final disappointment against Ulster, they'll need to manage a brace of victories over Leeds Tykes.

Toulouse will be focusing on bonus points in their two outings against the winless Neath-Swansea Ospreys.

Last season's beaten finalists, Perpignan, haven't displayed much of that form this season.

They lost tamely at the Causeway Stadium on the opening day to Wasps, and then struggled to subdue a gallant second-half performance by the Celtic Warriors at Stade Aimee Giral.

Mick O'Driscoll is fit again and should help his side to victories over Calvisano before crucial games away to the Warriors and finally home to Wasps.

Warren Gatland's Premiership champions won easily against Perpignan, with Johnny O'Connor outstanding. They were less convincing on their Italian jaunt but are rightly considered among the favourites for the tournament.

In Pool One, Ulster know anything other than victory against Leicester this weekend will effectively end their hopes. But if they accomplish that, Welford Road next weekend won't seem as foreboding as it once did. The two-time champions look vulnerable.

Stade Francais don't always travel well, but against Mike Ruddock's Gwent Dragons they'll need to address that shortcoming quickly. They need full points to set them up for closing games against Ulster at home and a final outing at Welford Road, when the Tigers should have several injured players fit again.

Leinster easily dismissed Biarritz and then followed it up by toughing it out in appalling conditions against Cardiff. It wasn't pretty but it was mighty effective.

Sale are dangerous opponents given their high-quality backline, which includes Jason Robinson. They were hugely disappointing in losing heavily in Biarritz, and Leinster will be hoping the English side continue that form.

Biarritz should take Cardiff at home, but will probably need to beat Sale at Edgeley Road to set up a tense finale against Leinster at Parc des Sports Aguilera.

Llanelli are in the box seat in Pool Four at the moment, but they face a couple of tough games against the volatile Agen and still have to travel to Franklin's Gardens. Northampton appear to be their main rivals, although it would be foolish to dismiss Agen, who are a difficult proposition on their home patch.

The outcome of Pool Five could come down to bonus points if Gloucester and Munster share the spoils over the two matches. It could come down to one side sneaking a bonus point in defeat away from home or scoring four tries on their home patch.

The Irish side have the easier run-in in that Bourgoin must travel to Ireland, whereas Gloucester visit the French team in the fifth round of matches.