Blues captain Martyn Williams says his side could not have asked for a tougher Heineken Cup pool after drawing Stade Francais, Gloucester and Ulster. "But we've got a chance as long as we win our home games and hopefully get an away win," said Williams.
"We can take confidence from last season when we competed well against Biarritz and Sale away.
"Now we've got some more strength in the depth in the squad, hopefully we can take it on a step further."
The recruitment of Wales internationals Gethin Jenkins, Robert Sidoli and Deiniol Jones from the defunct Celtic Warriors certainly looks to have strengthened their pack.
Freddie Tuilagi's arrival from Leicester will add power and pace in the backs, but Iestyn Harris' departure to rugby league was a hefty blow.
The Blues finished third in the pool with two wins last season, but Williams knows the fans will expect better this season.
"We did fairly well in Europe last season," said Williams, who has been handed the captaincy for a third successive season. "The nucleus of the squad has been together fro a while now, and we've made some shrewd signings to add to that.
"Stade Francais will probably go into the group as favourites. They're ahead of everyone at the moment in terms of facilities and money.
"But you can't underestimate Gloucester, and Ulster are a very tough side to beat away from home.
"But hopefully with the strength in our squad now, we can push these sides."
New Ulster coach Mark McCall says he is wary of the challenge that will be posed by the Blues.
"We know a lot about them," he said. "They improved a great deal last season and are bound to be even stronger with the influx of players from the Celtic Warriors.
"But we feel we can be very competitive and we're looking forward to starting at home against the Blues."
Refreshed
On the same day as the Heineken Cup groups were announced, the Blues held their first pre-season training session of the summer.
And for the first time in many seasons, Williams was able to attend.
The 28-year-old flanker was left out of the Wales touring squad to give a few niggling injuries time to heel, and he believes the rest has ensured he will start the season in better shape than for many a previous year.
"It wasn't my decision to take a break, but I think in the long term it will benefit me," Williams revealed. "I'll have a good 12 weeks off instead of the five weeks we usually get after being on tour.
"You can get bogged down in rugby sometimes so now I'm mentally refreshed."
Pool 1: London Wasps, Calvisano, Biarritz Olympique, Leicester Tigers
Pool 2: Benetton Treviso, Leinster, Bath Rugby, Bourgoin
Pool 3: Llanelli Scarlets, Glasgow Rugby, Northampton Saints, Toulouse
Pool 4: Munster, Neath-Swansea Ospreys, Castres Olympique, NEC Harlequins
First games to be played on the weekend 22-24 October
MMIX
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You can't underestimate Gloucester, and Ulster are a very tough side to beat away from home 
