Paolo Vaccari is a key figure in Calvisano's plans

The Milano-Calvisano combination will be more of an irritant than a threat to their more esteemed opponents although they will not be taken lightly.

Coached by former 1987 World Cup-winning All Black wing Craig Green, they have some talented players in their squad.

Their most famous son is Italian wing Paolo Vaccari, whose father Gianluigi is President of the club.

The 52-times capped Vaccari is now back to full fitness following knee and hand injuries which forced him out of the Italian team last season.

The side is captained by Italy's Andre de Rossi, while they have a useful Argentine front-row forward in Juan Pablo Coletti.

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Leicester

The all-conquering Tigers will be considered favourites to retain their crown and with the addition of Josh Kronfeld and Rod Kafer over the summer, Leicester are set to go from strength to strength.

Martin Johnson shows off the Heineken Cup

The loss of Pat Howard has left coach Dean Richards with a gap to fill behind the pack, but the Australian's absence could give Austin Healey a chance to shine in the fly-half berth.

Healey will want to put the controversy of the Lions tour behind him - and the Heineken Cup could be the ideal opportunity to do so.

Fellow Lions Neil Back and captain Martin Johnson will once again lead the pack, ably assisted by the promising Lewis Moody.

The backs look as strong as ever - the speedy Leon Lloyd will cause plenty of problems, while Tim Stimpson's consistent kicking will bring in the penalty points.

The Tigers will not underestimate any of their opponents but qualification should be a formality.

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Llanelli

Llanelli have started this season well in the Celtic League without ever hitting full stride.

The Scarlets have a pack that should be a match for anything it comes up against, but have lost potency in the backline with Lions star Dafydd James transferring to Bridgend.

Coach Gareth Jenkins has tried a variety of options in his backline, but without the pace of injured wing Mark Jones - missing for at least another month - Llanelli look one-paced.

One bonus has been the emergence of youngster Barry Davies at full back, who has showed bravery and a good eye for the counter-attack, while Leigh Davies brings good vision and handling skills to the midfield.

Stephen Jones should keep the scoreboard ticking over

The return to full fitness of Ireland backrow Simon Easterby, who missed most of last season through injury, is a great filip.

Lions hooker Robin McBryde is also back in action although Scott Quinnell is still receiving treatment,

With a strong ball-winning pack and the accurate boot of Wales international Stephen Jones at fly-half, and Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby to partner him, Llanelli will always have a chance.

The Stradey Park club were genuinely unlucky not to advance from the pool stages last season as they lost in bizarre circumstances to Gloucester and will be looking to make amends this time around.

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Perpignan

Despite qualifying behind Stade Francais and Castres, Perpignan are currently the early season form horses boasting a 100% record in the French League.

But the French side could be without veteran fly-half Thierry Lacroix, who is struggling to shake off tendonitis in his Achilles tendon.

Marc Dal Maso will be going head-to-head with Leicester again

In Lacroix's absence the burden of leadership will fall on the shoulders of international hooker Marc Dal Maso, a summer recruit from Pau who played Leicester in the group stages last year.

Dal Maso will figure at the heart of an experienced pack that will provide the foundation to Perpignan's campaign.

Resilient, and capable of rising to any occasion, Perpignan will make a good account of themselves in a tough pool.

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