Neil Jenkins is one of many injuries that could hamper Cardiff's progress

Wing Craig Morgan, their leading try-scorer last season, broke his ankle in pre-season training, while another of the club's international wings, Nick Walne, could be out for six months following knee surgery.

Lions fly half Neil Jenkins will also not return until the new year, while flanker Martyn Williams is still struggling with a shoulder injury.

Nicky Robinson has proved a revelation as the stand-in stand off, while his brother Jamie continues to excite at centre in partnership with either Matt Allen or Pieter Muller.

Joubert has moved swiftly to plug the remaining holes and 6ft 6in Kiwi wing Craig Hudson, signed from French side La Rochelle, has impressed with his pace and power.

The recruitment of French flanker Francois Mounier, Samoa skipper Semo Sititi and Rob Appleyard to the backrow adds experience.

South African Joubert could well have an ace up his sleeve in the form of rugby league star Iestyn Harris, but it will take time for him to become familiar with the 15-man game.

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Glasgow

Glasgow have made an impressive start to the season but will have to be on top form if they are to be the first Scottish side to progress beyond the European group stages.

Tommy Hayes will take any place kicks on offer

Captain Andy Nicol provides a wealth of experience along with late Lions call-up Gordon Bulloch.

Tommy Hayes is growing in confidence in the number 10 shirt and his kicking has improved greatly, while Wallaby prop Cameron Blades has added extra steel where it matters.

A convincing win at Swansea suggests Richie Dixon's men can hold their own at the highest level, but the Heineken Cup will prove a step up from the Celtic League.

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Montferrand

Montferrand have finally achieved their initial goal of playing in the Heineken Cup having qualified as beaten French Championship finalists after losing to Toulouse.

Oliver Magne is a key component of the Montferrand XV

That, at least, enabled them to keep their star forward, French flanker Oliver Magne.

Magne had threatened to leave if he was not able to play in Europe's top competition.

Coached by Steve Nance and skippered by Eric Lecomte, Montferrand couple abrasiveness up front with pace and guille behind the scrum.

They have a powerful back-row with Austraian Troy Jaques as back-up to Magne.

And behind the pack they have the tenacious Italian scrum half Alessandro Troncon in a half back partnership with French stand off Gerald Merceron.

S�bastien Viars, the former French winger, is still capable of inflicting severe wounds on opposition ranks and could prove a potential match winner in a tight group.

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Northampton

Northampton will have to turn their Premiership form around if they are to recreate past European glories.

And Saints will have to do so without Pat Lam, Allan Bateman, Tim Rodber and Gary Pagel, who all left the club over the summer.

John Leslie will look to direct the Saints from the centres

Despite his losses, Northampton coach John Steele has recruited Scotland and Lions prop Tom Smith, as well as former Wallaby Peter Jorgensen from Australian rugby league side Penrith Panthers.

Smith joins a triumvirate of incumbent Scottish internationals at Franklins Gardens with Mattie Stewart and Budge Poutney in the forwards, and John Leslie in the backs.

And with the likes of All Blacks flanker Andrew Blowers, fly-half Paul Grayson and scrum-half Matt Dawson, Northampton will be hoping for an extended run in Europe this term.

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