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Magners Celtic League team guide

The Magners League is contested by the top regional sides in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Leinster are the reigning champions.

This is the last season where the title will be decided between the 10 teams on a straight points basis - from season 2009/10 there will be play-offs.

Here is BBC Sport's quick guide to the teams.

CARDIFF BLUES

Ground: Arms Park

Coach: David Young

Captain: Paul Tito

Last season: 2nd

In: Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Richard Mustoe (Ospreys), Aled Brew (Ospreys), Darren Allinson (development contract)

Out: Nick Macleod (Sale), Robert Sidoli (Bristol), James Goode (Manawatu), Duane Goodfield (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Marc Stcherbina (Dragons), Danny Wilson (London Welsh)

CONNACHT

Ground: Galway Sportsground

Coach: Michael Bradley

Captain: John Muldoon

Last season: 10th

In: Niva Ta'auso (Counties Manukau), Frank Murphy (Leicester), Fionn Carr (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Leinster), Kieran Campbell (Ulster)

Out: None

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

Ground: Rodney Parade

Coach: Paul Turner

Captain: Tom Wills

Last season: 9th

In: Shaun Connor (Ospreys), Duane Goodfield (Blues), Tal Selley (Ospreys), Hoani MacDonald (Highlanders), Tom Willis (Waikato, NZ), Marc Stcherbina (Blues), James Arlidge, Grant Webb

Out: Michael Owen (Saracens), Ceri Sweeney (Blues), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Aled Thomas (London Welsh), Peter Sidoli (Calvisano), Paul Emerick (Beziers), Alex Walker (London Welsh - loan)

EDINBURGH

Ground: Murrayfield

Coach: Andy Robinson

Captain: Mike Blair

Last season: 4th

In: Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Bruce McNeil (National Academy and Heriot's), Jim Thompson (National Academy and Heriot's), Steve Turnbull (National Academy and Heriot's), Fraser McKenzie (National Academy and Heriot's), Marc Teague (Heriot's), Fraser McKenzie (National Academy and Heriot's), Kyle Traynor (National Academy and Watsonians), Sean Crombie (National Academy and Boroughmuir), Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers).

Out: Craig Smith (Racing Club Metro, France), Augusto Allori (Treviso), Ali Warnock (Doncaster), Andrew Maxwell (retired)

GLASGOW WARRIORS

Ground: Firhill Arena

Coach: Sean Lineen

Captain: Al Kellock

Last season: 5th

In: Tim Barker (Castres), Mark McMillan (Wasps), Calum Forrester (GHA and National Academy), Jon Welsh (GHA), Richie Gray (Stirling County and National Academy), Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Accies and National Academy), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Hawks and National Academy)

Out: Scott Barrow (Leeds Carnegie), Michael Collins (released), Daryl Gibson (Crusaders - Asst Coach), Donnie Macfadyen (retired), Andy Newman (Grenoble), Chris O'Young (Western Force), Sean Marsden (Exeter), Ben Prescott (Rotherham)

LEINSTER

Ground: Donnybrook and RDS Arena

Coach: Michael Cheika

Captain: Leo Cullen

Last season: 1st

In: Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (Cheetahs), Isa Nacewa (Blues)

Out: Cillian Willis (Ulster), Keith Gleeson (retired), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Ian Keatley (Connacht)

MUNSTER

Ground: Musgrave Park

Coach: Tony McGahan

Captain: Paul O'Connell

Last season: 3rd

In: Justin Melck (Western Stormers), Mike Prendergast (Gloucester)

Out: None

OSPREYS

Ground: Liberty Stadium

Coach: Sean Holley

Captain: Ryan Jones

Last season: 7th

In: Hale T-Pole (Highlanders), Tommy Bowe (Ulster)

Out: Stefan Terblanche (Natal Sharks), Brent Cockbain (Sale), Richie Pugh (released), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Shaun Connor (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Barry Williams (retired), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Aled Brew (Blues), Mark Taylor (retired), Mike Powell (London Welsh), Lyn Jones (mutual consent), Huw Bevan, Kevin Hopkins, Hale T-Pole (released), Justin Marshall (Montpellier)

LLANELLI SCARLETS

Ground: Stradey Park

Coach: Nigel Davies

Captain: Simon Easterby

Last season: 6th

In: Mahonri Schwalger, Simon Maling (Suntory), Sililo Martens (Sale), Rob Higgitt (Bristol), Martin Roberts (Ospreys), David Lyons (NSW Waratahs), Kees Meeuws (Castres), Gareth Jenkins

Out: Dwayne Peel (Sale), James Hayter, Ian Jones, Daniel George, Alec Jenkins, Rhys Williams, Rhys O Williams (all released), Alix Popham (Brive), Matthew Watkins (Gloucester), Ben Broster (Northampton), Garan Evans (retiring, new Scarlets team manager), Bruce Douglas (Montpellier), James Hayter (Esher), Adam Eustace (Gloucester), Liam Davies (Brive), Robert Jones, Wayne Proctor

ULSTER

Ground: Ravenhill

Coach: Matt Williams

Captain: Rory Best

Last season: 9th

In: Ed O'Donoghue, Clinton Schifcofske (both Queensland Reds), Cillian Willis (Leinster), Robbie Diack, Timoci Nagusa, BJ Botha (Natal Sharks)

Out: Justin Harrison (Bath), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), David Humpreys, Neil Best, Roger Wilson (both Northampton), Mark Bartholomeusz and Kieran Campbell (Connacht).