Heineken Cup prospects

Outside the Irish provinces, which club looks best equipped to win the tournament?

VICTOR COSTELLO: You'd always have to look at Leicester and Toulouse. Northampton as an outside bet; their final experience last year should stand to them and their English players have a lot to prove after the World Cup.

MATT WILLIAMS:Toulouse, as always, are powerful. In August I watched them play a trial match against Northampton. They played the next generation and they were fabulous. Off-loading at the tackle, running great lines and ultra-physical. The Lukes, McAlister and Burgess, will give them a greater attacking threat in close than David Skrela and an ageing Byron Kelleher. They will be stronger in April when all the new players have blended in.

GERRY THORNLEY:Toulouse, as ever, because of their squad size and ability to do just enough until invariably reaching the knockout stages of both competitions, whereupon Guy Noves can weigh up his options. Northampton are the coming force, Clermont are due an extended run one of these years and Leinster are among this elite group.

LIAM TOLAND:The final is in England and, although Harlequins are flying high in the Premiership, Northampton's experience could shade it. What a night awaits us in Thomond Park this evening.

How will Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht go in the pool stages?

VICTOR COSTELLO: You'd expect Leinster to top the pool, but a home quarter very much depends on today's result in Montpellier. Ulster have a tough road ahead. I think winning three out of four against Leicester and Clermont is too great an ask. Munster have to find it from within, and that means beating Northampton this weekend to maintain the aura around Thomond Park. Connacht need a level of consistency in their performances to avoid being the whipping boys. The Sportsground support will be crucial, but I think they'll finish fourth.

MATT WILLIAMS:Leinster should win their pool even without Drico. Munster are capable of finishing top, but they must improve their phase attack. As brave as I know Ulster are, I think they will come third. I will be very happy if I am wrong. Connacht will win a few in Galway, and I will pay good money to see the Toulouse coach Guy Noves squatting on the dog track, but fourth is the realistic outcome.

GERRY THORNLEY:Leinster to top their pool and earn a home quarter-final, Munster to finish second and vie for a runners-up spot, though it will be difficult, Ulster to come third and anything for Connacht is a bonus.

LIAM TOLAND:Munster – 2nd.

Leinster – 1st.

Ulster – 3rd.

Connacht – 4th.

Can Leinster retain the trophy without their longest serving duo (O’Driscoll and Horgan)?

VICTOR COSTELLO: The greatest legacy Horgan and O'Driscoll will eventually leave, apart from some memorable performances, is the level of ambition and work ethic they demanded from their colleagues. I expect others in the squad to excel as a tribute to them.

MATT WILLIAMS:Back-to-back European titles are never easy, that is why few teams do it. Leinster have the talent allied to excellent attacking and defensive systems that allows players to effortlessly slide into the team. Much will depend on injuries. They simply cannot afford losing another frontliner. It is possible but an extremely tough to call five months out. How they stand post-Six Nations will be crucial.

GERRY THORNLEY:Come the Heineken Cup, they just assume a different mindset and play with Test match intensity. They are a machine. But Nathan Hines is another loss.

Leinster’s winning ratio in the Cup is 74 per cent with O’Driscoll, but 58 per cent without. As holders, it would surpass last season.

LIAM TOLAND:Yes they can, but add in Nathan Hines and it becomes even tougher. Away in France as an opener is never easy and much will be expected of the Leinster backrow, but it is the front five who must pave the way; big opener for Damian Browne and Kevin McLaughlin.

Can Munster halt what seems a steady decline in their fortunes?

VICTOR COSTELLO: I don't think there is a steady decline, Munster will never drop beyond a certain level of performance in this competition. Heineken Cup rugby flows through the veins of the population, they wouldn't allow it to happen. The likes of Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray being consistently in the team this year will give them a boost. O'Gara and O'Connell will provide the backbone again and, most importantly, the experience of Anthony Foley as forwards coach should see them return to the business end of this competition.

MATT WILLIAMS:

Munster remain a formidable team. They have a great lineout, an excellent maul, powerful defence and Rog kicking both field position and lots of points. However, they are not breaking down defences with the necessary change of angles or off-loading. They are too lateral in attack and do not have a second line of runners coming from behind. This must change if they are to move forward.

GERRY THORNLEY:

Yes, because the golden rule of the Cup is never back against Munster, especially at Thomond Park. But their backrow has lost its warhorses, the backline much of its cutting edge, and they’re short another marquee signing, so it will need another vintage Ronan O’Gara campaign for starters.

LIAM TOLAND:

With talent coming through from their youth program their underperforming Under-20s will eventually turn a corner. But, at senior level, their recent purchases have not been as ambitious as this mighty team deserve to keep them going during their biggest regrouping in their Heineken Cup history. Not a decline, but the other sides have caught up and with their three openers – Northampton at home, Castres away and Scarlets away – it’ll be very tough.