Munster

Bath

Castres

Newport

Formguide: Munster have nurtured their inevitable Heineken hangover well, extending their run of form over two seasons to 19 wins in 21 matches by stealthily retaining their interpro title again. Bath have the best English pedigree in Europe and were the form team in the second half of last season in England, but successive defeats to Northampton and Saracens may have knocked their confidence a little.

Newport have brought in the likes of Gary Teichmann, the prolific, playmaking Shane Howarth and, of course, Matt Mostyn, with his high strike-rate, and are involved in a four-way tie at the top of the Welsh/Scottish League. Castres, under Jeremy Davidson's captaincy, have signed Gregor Townsend, new French centre Guillame Delmotte, French flanker Arnaud Coste and the Lomuesque winger/centre Norm Berryman, but have little form to go on.

Star turn: Ronan O'Gara. As something of a barometer of some of his teammates, the confident young Corkman has to cope with second season syndrome, and remain Munster's general on the pitch whilst also holding his nerve with a few more decisive late kicks - which is bound to happen knowing Munster's ability to hang tough until the end and make late comebacks. Early season form has been encouraging and suggests he can cope.

Forecast: For all the obvious strengths and big-name acquisitions of Castres and Newport, mastering Europe can take a season or two and Castres particularly are something of an unknown quantity. The Munster-Bath back-to-back meetings could hold the key to the pool and, though the doubters are surfacing, Munster's intangible spirit, cussedness and mental strength suggests they are best equipped to carry the flag once more.