Diego Dominguez will direct Stade's assault on the title

They have threatened to bring the European crown back to their Stade Jean Bouin complex for a number of seasons, but as yet they have been unable to finish the job.

Nevertheless it was an encouraging start to Aussie coach John Connolly's career in charge of the Parisians.

He is a hard-nosed supremo who will have taken them a step further in their preparations for this season's campaign when they will again meet their nemisis, Ulster in a tough pool grouping.

Their squad is awash with talented invidivuals starting with Christophe Juliet, Pieter de Villers, Patrick Tabacco and Englishman Richard Pool-Jones up front.

Then there is the eloquent skills of Christophe Dominici and Thomas Lombard out wide with the Italian wizard, Diego Dominguez, pulling it all together at fly half.

They will again be one of the favourites for the title but will be wary of Ulster, who beat them in the semis in 1999, as they look to progress to the knock-out stage.

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Treviso

The Italian side can boast plenty of Italian internationals, including Mauro Bergamasco, Denis Dallan, Walter Pozzebon and the South African born Wilhelmus Visser.

Mauro Bergamasco is one of Italy's best players

The club, coached by Frenchman Alain Teixidor, are backed by Benetton and are Italy's premier rugby outfit.

They beat Calvisano 33-13 to win the Italian National Championship in June 2001 and in Bergamasco possess a world-class player at flanker.

But one player does not make a team, and although he will be ably supported by those around him, Treviso should struggle in a highly competitive group.

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Ulster

Since their great European Cup odyssey three years ago, Ulster have been treading water somewhat.

The 1999 Heineken Cup winners have logged only one victory and one draw in their previous two European campaigns.

Now there is a new regime in place - Harry Williams has been replaced by Springbok assistant coach Alan Solomons with Ireland flanker Andy Ward installed as captain.

David Humphreys is the fulcrum of the Ulster XV

Solomons has brought a new professionalism and has already shown his hand in respect of youth.

The Ulster supremo has discovered a few gems in full back Paddy Wallace and flanker Neil McMillan with the promise of more on the launching pad.

Solomons has also beefed up his front-row with the signing of Argentine prop Leopoldi de Cazal right on European deadline.

However, Solomons has a three-year plan for the province, and this season's Heineken Cup may prove too early to expect any measure of success.

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Wasps

Wasps will be hoping to banish the memories of last season's quarter-final defeat to Stade Francais as they kick-off their European campaign against last year's beaten finalists.

In the continuing absence of the influential Lawrence Dallaglio, coach Nigel Melville will be hoping the likes of Kenny Logan, Alex King and Phil Greening play to their maximum potential.

Joe Worsley has an opportunity to show his class

The addition of Kiwi prop Craig Dowd should bolster the pack as will the late arrival of his compatriot, Ian Jones, who will add considerable presence in the second row.

Behind them Joe Worsley will look to grab the chance to dictate play off the back row as an identikit replacement for Dallaglio.

Despite their indifferent start to the Zurich Premiership, Wasps will be hoping to improve on their performances from last year.

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