A preview of the teams competing in this years Magners League

CONNACHT

Ground: Galway Sportsground; Dubarry Park, Athlone.

Coach: Michael Bradley.

Captain: John Muldoon.

Ins: Kieran Campbell (scrumhalf, Ulster); Frank Murphy (scrumhalf, Leicester Tigers), Sean Cronin (hooker, Munster); Ian Keatley (outhalf, Connacht), Fionn Carr (full-back, Leinster); Niva Ta'auso (centre, Otago Highlanders); Mike Roberts (winger, ex Wasps and Glasgow).

Outs: John Fogarty (hooker, Leinster); Peter Durkan (La Rochelle), Matt Mostyn (fullback/winger, retired); Darren Yapp (winger/centre, retired); Kevin Moran (released), Tom Tierney (scrumhalf, retired), Conor McPhilips (winger/scrumhalf, St Mary's College).

Formguide: 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 Powers): 150/1.

Player to watch: Frank Murphy. The ex-Munsterman has benefited from his two-year sojourn at Leicester, and though Bradley has assembled more strength at scrumhalf than Leinster, the nippy 26-year-old's excellent pass off both sides can help remedy a problem area for Connacht as well as move him up the Irish radar.

Prospects: After successive bottom placed finishes, Bradley looks to have recruited some potential gamebreakers in the likes of Murphy and Keatley and a finisher in Ta'auso, to augment their physicality. Unhelpfully, the other Irish teams will be at full-strength from the start but, with two or three more wins, then qualifying ahead of the Dragons, whatever about Ulster or Glasgow as well, and reaching the Heineken Cup via a play-off is achievable.

LEINSTER

Ground: RDS.

Coach: Michael Cheika.

Captain: Leo Cullen.

Ins: CJ Van Der Linde (prop, the Cheetahs); Rocky Elsom (flanker, NSW); John Fogarty (hooker, Connacht); Simon Keogh (winger/scrumhalf, Harlequins); Isa Nacewa (utility back, Auckland); Sean O'Brien (flanker, Academy); Fergus McFadden (fullback, Academy); Eoin O'Malley (centre, Academy); Jonno Gibbes (Forwards Coach, Waikato); Alan Gaffney (technical consultant, Saracens).

Outs: Keith Gleeson (flanker, retired); Ollie le Roux (prop, retired); Cillian Willis (scrumhalf, Ulster); Ross McCarron (fullback, returning to college); Michael Beirne (centre, Australia); Richie Leyden (backrow, released), Christian Warner (utility back, Roma).

Formguide: 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 5th in pool, winners.

Odds: 5/2.

Player to watch: Isa Nacewa. A clever-looking capture by Cheika, the multi-talented ex-Auckland Blues goal-kicking utility back would surely have been a costlier acquisition but for his one Fijian Test preventing him from becoming an All Black and with 44 games and 208 points in Super 14 rugby, the 25-year-old will ensure unprecedented competition for places among Leinsters backs.

Prospects: Improved competition for backline places and signs of a rejuvenated Bran O'Driscoll should make for a sharper cutting edge and, with an average attendance of more than 14,000, they have the artillery to become first team to retain title. But will they adequately replace the on-field presence and leadership of Ollie le Roux and Keith Gleeson, have they adequate cover at scrumhalf and, a more pleasing thought, might they be distracted by a bigger prize?

MUNSTER

Ground: Thomond Park, Limerick, Musgrave Park, Cork.

Coach: Tony McGahan.

Captain: Paul O'Connell.

Ins: Nick Williams (number 8, Auckland Blues); Mike Prendergast (scrumhalf, Gloucester), Keith Earls (centre/wing, development to full contract), Ciaran O'Boyle (wing, development to full contract), Justin Melck (backrow, Western Province, short-term), Laurie Fisher (assistant/forwards coach), Jason Holland (backs coach).

Outs: Anthony Foley (number 8, retired); Mossy Lawlor (utility back, retired); John Kelly (winger/centre, retired); Shaun Payne (full-back, retired); Gerry Hurley (scrumhalf, released), Eugene McGovern (prop, released), Declan Kidney (Ireland).

Formguide: 3rd, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 7th, winners, r/up.

Odds: 9/2.

Player to watch: Keith Earls. The stand-out performer for Ireland under-age and A sides in the last few years. Quick and elusive, despite the outstanding Kiwis blocking his path, Earls' ability to play centre or wing could make this something of a breakthrough year for him after just five games off the bench so far.

Prospects: A new coaching ticket, the availability of their internationals from the off, three of their first five games at home and Leinster's hold on the title should ensure against them being off the pace from early on. A fair sprinkling of experience has been lost though and once their Holy Grail takes hold you again wonder how long their frontliners can maintain their energy on all fronts.

ULSTER

Ground: Ravenhill, Belfast.

Coach: Matt Williams.

Captain: Rory Best.

Ins: Ed O'Donoghue (lock, Queensland), Cillian Willis (scrumhalf, Leinster); Ian Humphreys (outhalf, Leicester), Robbie Diack (number eight, Stormers); Clinton Schifcofske (full-back, Queensland); Timoci Nagusa (winger, Tailevu Knights, Fiji), Daniel Roache (prop, ); PJ Botha (prop, Natal Sharks).

Outs: David Humphreys (outhalf, retired), Simon Best (prop, retired), Tommy Bowe (wing, Ospreys); Justin Harrson (lock, Bath), Neil Best (flanker, Northampton), Roger Wilson (number 8, Northampton), Matt McCullough (flanker, Harlequins), Kieran Campbell (scrumhalf, Connacht), Mark Bartholomeusz (utility back, Padova), Niall Conlon (prop, Cambridge University), Matt Miles (hooker, released), Mark Kettyle (fullback, released).

Formguide: 9th, 5th, 1st, 8th, 2nd, s/f, s/f.

Odds: 18/1.

Player to watch: Darren Cave. After a relatively barren spell the conveyor belt of young centres seems to be chugging again, and none of the young Ulster tyros has Matt Williams more excited than the quick-footed and inventive 21-year-old. After just one start and one game off the bench, he looks set for plenty of game time too.

Prospects: On the face of it a largely remodelled team should be facing a season of transition and they lack the strength in depth to maintain a title challenge. Also appear a bit lightweight though Botha is a coup, while they might be livewire enough to benefit from the ELVs. Victory at home to Llanelli and targeting the Cardiff game in round two could provide the early-season momentum to sustain a surprise mid-table campaign.

LLANELLI SCARLETS

Ground: Stradey Park; Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

Coach: Nigel Davies.

Captain: Simon Easterby.

Ins: Simon Maling (Suntory), Sililo Martens (Sale), Rob Higgitt (Bristol), Martin Roberts (Ospreys), David Lyons (Waratahs), Nigel Davies (coach), Kees Meeuws (Castres), John Muggleton (defence coach), Brad Harrington (fitness coach), Ryan Campbell (assistant conditioning coach).

Outs: Dwayne Peel (Sale), James Hayter (Esher), Daniel George (London Welsh), Alec Jenkins (London Welsh), director of rugby Phil Davies (sacked), Alix Popham (Brive), Matthew Watkins (Gloucester), Ben Broster (Northampton), Bruce Douglas (Montpellier), James Hayter (Esher), Adam Eustace (Gloucester), Liam Davies (Brive), Robert Jones, Wayne Proctor (released), Garan Evans (retired).

Formguide: 6th, 4th, 6th, 5th, 1st, 5th in pool, q/f.

Odds: 12/1.

Player to watch: David Lyons: The Australian is a proven international and his ball-carrying prowess from No 8 will be vital in giving the Scarlets go-forward momentum and finally filling that void left by Scott Quinnell. Unusual in that he has headed overseas while in the prime of his career.

Prospects: After last season's alarming decline from the high of the year before, the Scarlets have changed coaches and a significant number of players, and should be buoyed by a change of ground. But much will depend on the new imports Lyons, Kees Meeuws, Simon Malling and, especially, Dwayne Peel's replacement, Silolo Martens, gelling quickly. Ought to be better overall but sustaining a title challenge looks a tallish order.

OSPREYS

Ground: Liberty Stadium, Swansea.

Coach: Sean Holley.

Captain: Ryan Jones.

Ins: Andrew Hore (elite performance director), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Gruff Rees (skills coach), Alex Lawson (conditioning coach).

Outs: Stefan Terblanche (Natal Sharks), Brent Cockbain (Sale), Richie Pugh (Exeter), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Shaun Connor (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Barry Williams (retired), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Aled Brew (Blues), Mark Taylor (retired), Mike Powell (London Welsh), Lyn Jones (mutual consent), Huw Bevan, Kevin Hopkins, Hale T-Pole (released), Justin Marshall (Montpellier).

Formguide: 7th, 1st, 7th, 1st, 5th, Neath s/f and Swansea 6th in pool, Neath q/f and Swansea 5th in pool.

Odds: 7/2.

Player to watch: Richard Hibbard. There are high hopes that the big, strong hooker is poised to fulfil his potential after apparently shedding some excess poundage, and that the skilful, ball-handling Hibbard can make a big impact with region and country.

Prospects: Another side with a change of coach and a slightly trimmed if still star-laden squad, not to mention facilities and a set-up second to none. Given their heavy involvement with Wales, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and most of all a nagging need to rectify last season's self-inflicted implosion in the H Cup they may, ultimately, have bigger fish to fry again.

CARDIFF BLUES

Ground: Cardiff Arms Park.

Coach: David Young.

Captain: Paul Tito.

Ins: Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Richard Mustoe (Ospreys), Aled Brew (Ospreys), Billy Millard (assistant coach, Australia), Gareth Baber (assistant coach), Justin Burnell (forwards coach), Darren Allinson (development contract).

Outs: Rob Howley (Wales backs coach), Nick Macleod (Sale), Robert Sidoli (Bristol), James Goode (Manawatu), Duane Goodfield (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Marc Stcherbina (Dragons), Danny Wilson (London Welsh).

Formguide: 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 9th, 6th, s/f, 5th in pool.

Odds: 9/2.

Player to watch: Darren Allinson: Although only on a development contract, the Blues need more strength in depth at scrumhalf. He's had limited game-time with the region but appears to have vision and skills to match, and hopes are high for him.

Prospects: Have revamped their back-up coaching ticket and consolidated their squad after steady improvement over the last couple of years and new captain, Kiwi lock Paul Tito, made a huge impact in his debut season. Runners-up for the last two seasons, the Blues could again be the Welsh region best suited to sustaining a title challenge and ending a silverware drought dating back to 2000. Kicking off with three games in seven days isn't helpful though.

DRAGONS

Ground: Rodney Parade, Newport.

Coach: Paul Turner.

Captain: Tom Willis.

Ins: Shaun Connor (Ospreys), Duane Goodfield (Blues), Tal Selley (Ospreys), Hoani MacDonald (Highlanders), Tom Willis (Waikato, NZ), Marc Stcherbina (Blues, on loan), Steve Richards (fitness coach, from Ulster), Robert Beale (manager), James Arlidge (NTT Japan), Grant Webb (Ulster).

Outs: Michael Owen (Saracens), Ceri Sweeney (Blues), Richard Mustoe ( Blues), Jim McCreedy (retired, team manager), Aled Thomas (London Welsh), Peter Sidoli (Calvisano), Paul Emerick (Beziers), Alex Walker (London Welsh), Nic Fitisemanu (Bourg-en-Bresse).

Formguide: 8th, 9th, 8th, 4th, 3rd, Newport 8th in pool, Newport q/f.

Odds: 80/1.

Player to watch: Tom Willis: A former All Black hooker who was recruited by the Dragons for his leadership skills. A trained lawyer, the former Chiefs and Waikato front-row forward has already made a considerable impression.

Prospects: Paul Turner has done a good job in unenviable circumstances, but the poor relations of the Welsh regions have suffered a summer exodus and have sought to solve their problems with an influx of foreign bargains; which smacks of a quick fix. Were a tad fortunate to receive under-strength sides on last season's run-in and after three seasons of relative toil another trying season looks on the cards.

EDINBURGH

Ground: Murrayfield.

Coach: Andy Robinson.

Captain: Mike Blair.

Ins: Jim Hamilton (Leicester), Chris Paterson (Gloucester).

Outs: Craig Smith (Racing Club Paris), Alistair Warnock (Doncaster).

Formguide: 4th, 8th, 5th, 7th, 10th, q/f, 6th in pool.

Odds: 7/1.

Player to watch: Ben Cairns. Injured for the first month of the season but the pacey, powerful outside centre - capped twice in the Tests against Argentina - has got Scottish rugby buzzing. In tandem with last season's rejuvenated great white hope, Nick de Luca, Cairns can give Edinburgh and Scotland some midfield penetration.

Prospects: Considering he only arrived last August, the improvement wrought by Robinson _ especially with individual players such as Ross Rennie and Alan McDonald as well as collectively in securing Edinburgh's highest finish was quite extraordinary. With a young, exciting 10-12-13 axis, a settled squad and after a 22-15 friendly win over Wasps in front of over 4,000, they'll be looking to achieve another top four finish.

GLASGOW

Ground: Firhill, Glasgow.

Coach: Sean Lineen.

Captain: Alistair Kellock.

Ins: Mark McMillan (Wasps), Tim Barker (Castres).

Outs: Andy Newman (Grenoble), Donnie Macfadyen (retired), Ben Prescott (Rotherham), Daryl Gibson (to join Crusaders as assistant coach) .

Formguide: 5th, 7th, 11th, 6th, 11th, q/f, s/f.

Odds: 16/1.

Player to watch: Max Evans. English-born, late developing pro golfer who came to Glasgow 18 months ago on the recommendation of his younger brother and winger Tom, the 24-year-old is a more physical, side-stepping, tackle-breaking centre who, like Cairns, can give Glasgow another dimension.

Prospects: Sean Lineen has tightened up a once porous defence and made Glasgow much more competitive over 80 minutes in every game with their lively brand of offloading, touchline to touchline rugby. Five successive wins secured a fast-finishing fifth, though this all-time high may have flattered them slightly. With a settled squad, and an outstanding backrow of Barclay, Brown and Beattie, the most nagging doubt is how their setpiece holds up.