Brian O'Driscoll is one of the star attractions in the Heineken Cup

For so long Leinster have failed to play up to expectations, but they have already signalled their intentions this season.

With a squad of power, pace and skill, they have romped through the Celtic League preliminary stages scoring 31 tries.

Coach Matt Williams has finally added heart to a side that must now be one of the favourites to lift the title.

Any team with Brian O'Driscoll in their ranks must be fancied, but it is not a one-man band.

Australia's Nathan Spooner is the play-maker at number 10 behind a forward base that can boast a full pack of Irish internationals.

Former Lions prop Paul Wallace gets one of the 34 preliminary squad places after proving his fitness following a move from Saracens and watch out for Keith Gleeson, a Dublin-born openside flanker from Australia.

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Newcastle

Europe could be the place where the Falcons' young stars, Jamie Noon, Dave Walder and Michael Stephenson, make their explosive impact.

Pat Lam will be hoping to emulate his success at Northampton

The trio, along with star fly half Jonny Wilkinson, have the potential to beat any side - as they showed in the opening match of the Zurich Premiership season against Leicester.

World player of the year nominee Wilkinson remains the key to coach Rob Andrew's campaign.

And with veteran Samoan Pat Lam returning to the north-east providing experience at number eight, the Falcons could fare well in a tight European group.

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Newport

Newport had their most productive season in recent times last term, winning the Principality Cup and finishing fourth in the Welsh-Scottish League and qualifying for the Heineken Cup once more.

New coach Ian McIntosh is one of the best in the business, having enjoyed success with Natal and South Africa, and is a significant capture for owner Tony Brown.

But the decision of Springbok scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen to bail out of his proposed move to Rodney Parade was a great disappointment.

Shane Howarth will be looking to step up his performances

Former New Zealand number nine Ofisa Tonu'u has been recruited to plug the gap, while Jason Strange adds options at fly-half, especially with Shane Howarth having an early season crisis of confidence with the boot.

Newport are also intent on keeping what they already have, with Emyr Lewis, Gareth Taylor, Alix Popham, Joe Powell, Matthew Watkins and club captain Simon Raiwalui all signing new contracts.

If there is any question mark over Newport's chances it is at lock, where there is scant cover for Raiwalui and Wales' Ian Gough, although former Cardiff favourite Mike Voyle has delayed his emigration to New Zealand to help out the Black and Ambers.

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Toulouse

The French champions will be keen to improve on a disappointing third place in the pool stages last season.

But their preparations for this season's competition have been severely hampered by injury, most notably in the backs.

Clement Poitrenaud, Emile Ntamack, Yann Delaigue and Arnaud Dumas are all sidelined, one of the main reasons for the club's indifferent start to the French season.

Fabien Pelous will lead from the front

But Toulouse still have world class players at their disposal, including French internationals Xavier Garabjosa, Cedric Soulette and second row Fabien Pelous, who will skipper the side this season.

Pelous is joined in the pack by Italy's Andrea Lo Cicero and former All Black Isitolo Maka.

The club, which hails from the south west of France, will be considered one of the favorites in an undoubtedly tough European group.

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