Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock promise a formidable partnership

A string of early defeats saw Bath plummet to the foot of the table, the first time they have propped up the division in the history of league rugby in England.

But if there ever was a side that could rise to the European occasion, it is Bath.

The 1998 champions possess potential match winners in England trio Matt Perry, Iain Balshaw and Mike Catt in the back division.

And they have been bolstered by the arrival of Lions lock Danny Grewcock who joins Steve Borthwick in the engine room of the scrum.

With the league effectively beyond them before the season has got underway both the players and supporters will view European silverware as more than an adequate replacement.

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Biarritz

Biarritz made it as far as the quarter-finals last year and are a good bet to at least equal that success this time around.

After a successful summer Down Under Joe Roff is now in Biarritz

In the French championship the players have shown early intent that they mean business with wins against Toulouse and Stade Francais.

The club from south-west France have also recruited well in the off-season, most notably gaining the services of Wallaby wing Joe Roff, plus full back Nicolas Brusque from Pau.

With the giant Australian on one wing and France's Philippe Bernat-Salle on the other, Biarritz can field arguably the finest wing pairing in the Heineken Cup.

And the French outfit are not short of talent in the pack either boasting plenty of French caps with the likes of the Lievremont brothers, Marc and Thomas, plus Olivier Roumat and Serge Betsen.

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Edinburgh

Edinburgh will have to improve greatly on their poor Celtic League form if they are to avoid embarrassment in a powerful European group.

Frank Hadden's side won only two of their opening six pool games and the coach is yet to see the best from internationals Duncan Hodge, Martin Leslie, Chris Paterson, Craig Joiner, Derrick Lee and Cameron Murray.

Simon Taylor is back in international action

The talented Simon Taylor is slowly feeling his way back from the injury that put a premature end to his Lions tour and further forward in the pack prop Joel Brannigan should add some extra muscle following his move from London Welsh.

The arrival of former New Zealand captain Todd Blackadder and Kiwi utility back Brendan Laney in November will strengthen the side, but it may be too late to make an impact in the competition.

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Swansea

Swansea begin the new season as defending Welsh-Scottish League champions but it is difficult to see them repeating that feat after a poor start to the season.

The All Whites have had their share of injury problems but coach John Plumtree has been able to recruit Samoa wing Brian Lima.

In the absence of the injured Mark Taylor, Lima will add some bite to a backline that already features the fearsome Scott Gibbs who will be focusing all his efforts on the club after his decision to retire from the international scene.

Gavin Henson gives Swansea greater options behind the scrum

Fly-half Arwel Thomas is fit after missing most of last season injured, while Gavin Henson has emerged from the youth ranks to take his place in both the Swansea and Wales senior squads.

Lions flanker Colin Charvis is back in action after a well-earned rest, while the return of backrow Hywel Jenkins from a lengthy injury gives Plumtree options.

Injured Lions prop Darren Morris is still on the treatment table but Swansea have ample cover in the front row.

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