Llanelli, L. Irish, Toulouse, Ulster: An attractive-looking, intriguing pool. Tomorrow looks as good a time as any for Ulster to host an injury-plagued, under-firing Toulouse - the cup's only three-time champions suffered a 46-9 defeat at Clermont three weeks ago. If Ulster are Ireland's form team, ditto Llanelli in Wales, where a raft of previously underachieving young players have blossomed under new coach Phil Davies.
Stradey will be a tough away day in round two, although if Ulster are to finally record a first ever win in England at the ninth time of asking then for Mark McCall, David Humphreys, Kieran Campbell and Kieron Dawson, no better place than the Majedski Stadium. Brian Smith's creative and pacey outfit haven't scaled anything like the heights of last season.
Forecast: With so many competitive encounters, hard to see more than one progressing, in which case pedigree and class points to Toulouse.
FIXTURES Friday: London Irish v Llanelli (8.0). Saturday: Ulster v Toulouse (1.35). Oct 27th: Llanelli v Ulster (7.30). Oct 29th: Toulouse v London Irish (4.0). Dec 9th: Llanelli v Toulouse (3.0); London Irish v Ulster (3.30). Dec 15th: Ulster v London Irish (7.30). Dec 16th: Toulouse v Llanelli (2.35). Jan 12th-14th: London Irish v Toulouse; Ulster v Llanelli. Jan 19th-21st: Llanelli v London Irish, Toulouse v Ulster.
