Key player: So many people are going to say Justin Marshall or Gav the Chav, but I think it'll be Ryan Jones as he gets the pack on the front foot with his barn-storming runs.

Young star: You can't look much further than James Hook. He's got the full package but needs a run of games to build his confidence.

Expectations: Anything less than the quarter-finals would be deemed a failure. However I think they've got the talent (and strength in depth) to reach the semis.

Coach: Treading very thin ice at the moment. Lyn Jones is not your regular "schoolmaster" coach - he likes to be one of the lads and is never short of a humorous quip in the post-match interview.

Match day: The Liberty Stadium is one of the finest stadiums in the competition, with a capacity of 20,000. However, it doesn't have the same "cauldron" atmosphere of Welford Road and Ravenhill for example.

AOB: Rumour has it that the reason the Ospreys have been underperforming because Lyn Jones wants to tuck all his strategy and game-plays up his sleeves and not to divulge them to anyone before the Heineken Cup, as he's planning a big assault on it. To any away supporters planning on visiting area, make sure you visit Wind Street for a post-match night out, which is basically a long street of bars and nothing else.

By a BBC Sport journalist

Key player: Captain Paul Griffen. The New Zealand-born scrum-half is a spiky character who rarely makes the wrong decision in possession.

Young star: Number eight Alessandro Zanni. The 22-year-old is a dynamic, powerful forward. Has forced his way into the Italy team and could be a fixture in the future.

Expectations: Probably have no chance of getting through the group stage. Not with Sale and Stade Francais in there. A home win against the Ospreys would be enough for most fans.

Match day: The Centro Sportivo San Michele is a small and intimate ground with a capacity of 3,000, but the atmosphere can be cracking for big Heineken Cup matches.

Key player: Charlie Hodgson. Works everything that happens in the backline and has probably one of the best passes in world rugby at the moment. His nerve and temperament have greatly improved and he is now calm and relaxed under difficult situations.

Young stars: Ben Foden and David Tait. Foden has had a bit more of a look in this year and looks to be a great prospect. Tait, not even 20, is a backrower and already looks a good player. He's tall, has a lot of power and bags of pace, really someone to look for.

Expectations: With a disappointing display last year in Biarritz, I think the lads have took that on board and we will reach the semis.

Director of Rugby: Phillipe St Andre was once a class winger in his time. Played for and captained France and scored bags of tries, has plenty of coaching experience with both Gloucester and Bourgoin.

Match day: Really depends on the opposition. For big games, there's a big crowd and great atmosphere. The Stade Francais and Ospreys games will be sold out, and you can count on a cracking atmosphere.

AOB: We Are the first English team to top the table and win the Guinness Championship.

Key player: The half backs, whichever pair Galthi� settles on, will be crucial to transferring Championship form to the European stage. In Fillol, Pichot, Hernandez and Skrela there are plenty of options.

Young star: Dimitri Szarzewski looks set for great things. The French hooker at the age of 23 he is solid in the line out and potentially devastating in open play. Not many sides will look forward to coming up against him.

Expectations: As high as ever. Massive disappointment still surrounds the extra time loss in Edinburgh against Toulouse as well as a dismal showing in a tough group last year, and only a victory this time around will satisfy the hungry fans. Way clear in the Championship at the moment, and definitely on a roll.

Coach: A few eyebrows were raised when Fabien Galthi� got the job, but for such a young coach he does a magnificent job. He has great support from his chairman and has a fantastic relationship with the players and crowd.

Match day: Which ground? Stade Jean-Bouin with its limited capacity will be a daunting prospect for visitors, with a loud reception and plenty of music guaranteed. When bigger teams come to town, Charlety (20000), Parc des Princes (40000+) and Stade de France (80,000) have all been filled to the rafters.

AOB: Stade have a tricky group but the international experience to thrive. The Sale vs Stade double header could be the highlight of the group phase.