Key player: Many might say number eight and captain Julien Bonnaire, but for me it is tight head Olivier Milloud. The man is a rock, does not give an inch, and has been with the club since 1995. He also has 32 caps for France.

Young star: Without doubt it is Benjamin Boyet, although he has had his problems with injuries this season. With Toulouse's Michalak injured the fly half spot for the French team is his for the taking. He'll look to make a big impression in this tournament.

Expectations: With current champions Munster and former champions Leicester, plus a Cardiff team playing well, it'll be a tall order getting into the quarter-finals out of this group, especially with Bourgoin's dismal away record and its run of poor form and desperately bad luck � la Leeds Tykes.

Coach: Christophe Urios played rugby for Carcassone and Castres as a hooker. As a player-coach he led Castres to successive qualifications for the European Cup. He joined Bourgoin as coach in 2005. He has been rapped on the knuckles by the league authorities for calling into question the quality of the refereeing at Bourgoin's defeat at Albi.

Match day: Stade Pierre Rajon (9,000 places) has a reputation for being a fortress and the ground, although small, has a good atmosphere on match day, with the spectators very close to the pitch. They make up for being all but impregnable at home by being consistently weak away!

AOB: Bourgoin are getting into the habit of playing some of their big home games away, their ground being just too small for these occasions. For big league matches last year, the team played in Lyon. This year, for the Heineken Cup, they will be moving to Lyon again and will play Munster in Geneva.

Key player: Undoubtedly Xavier Rush. Only one word can express his impact and influence on the team - awesome.

Young star: Chris Czekaj. His wing play can be exceptional, but has he got the physicality and mental strength when the Blues play the big boys?

Expectations: I would like to see the Blues compete in the group and maybe win all their home games, although this is a big ask with Leicester, Munster and Bourgoin in their group. I would be pleased with a runners up spot in the group.

Coach: Former Welsh front row, Dai Young is a coach with a fast improving reputation. He has turned the Blues from the worst performing region in 2004-05 to the best region last year, and has added some depth to the squad with some shrewd signings in the close season.

Match day: The Arms Park is brilliant on match day, and I don't think you can beat the banter of a rugby club bar pre-match! Although this season our home match versus Leicester is in the Millennium Stadium, so hopefully we can create a great atmosphere there.

Key player: Daryl Gibson is key. Our backs have real spark when he plays and is fit.

Young star: Tom Varndell (assuming he comes back from loan at Bedford!). The guy can score from anywhere! Jordan Crane looks like he could be great too.

Expectations: Semi-finals at least but getting past Munster in the group has to be first priority! As long as we don't choke on the big occasion like the past two seasons we will do well! Coach: Pat Howard was a club hero as a player (think Paris 2001!) but that hasn't quite translated as a coach. His biggest challenge is to restore the unbeatable aura we had under Deano!

Match day: Welford Road is a classic rugby ground with plenty of bars and good views all round. Trouble is Tigers have outgrown it and we have had to put up with the soulless Walkers Stadium the past two seasons.

AOB: The two matches against Munster will show what Tigers are made of. League form has been patchy but when we had a point to prove (against Sale) we looked great. I hope they have a real go at Munster's unbeaten home record!

Key player: Captain Paul O'Connell - our biggest influence and one of the best players in the world. I don't know any other team in the competition that wouldn't love to have him in there side.

Young star: Barry Murphy - last season he looked like he was going to light up the Heineken Cup until he broke his leg. This season could be his best yet.

Expectations: Munster want to show that they're not one-hit wonders. I would advise Munster fans to book a hotel in London and get your tickets sorted for the final in May. We're going all the way again.

Coach: Declan Kidney is a gentleman and comes across as a softly-spoken school teacher. But he is brilliant at man management and cultivating an "us against the world" feeling in his players. His tactics sometimes seem to lack depth, but last season's results speak for themselves.

Match day: Watching a game at Thomand Park should be on everyone's 'things to do before I die' list. Heineken Cup nights are absolutely electric and the party continues well after the match is over in Limerick City. It's intimidating for away teams and refs. However, despite the intense atmosphere, away fans are welcomed with arms open by their Munster brothers.

AOB: My advice to everyone is to go to a Cup match before they tear down Thomand Park and build a shiny new stadium with loads of seats.