By Sean Davies

How will the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets fare in 2007/8?

TEAM-BY-TEAM PREDICTIONS Cardiff Blues Llanelli Scarlets Newport Gwent Dragons Ospreys

The new domestic season may be looming in under the shadow of the forthcoming World Cup and yet another financial row, but come next spring the fate of Wales' four regional sides will be of paramount importance to fans.

Last year was an improvement on a dismal 2005/6, the Welsh teams having padded their squads somewhat to accommodate the additional demands of the EDF Energy Cup.

The Ospreys, who confirmed their position as Wales' most powerful outfit, were thwarted by a fired-up Leicester in the final of that competition.

The Heineken Cup was also ultimately disappointing for the west Glamorgan side, although they overcame some late-season jitters to clinch the Magners League title for the second time in three years.

606: DEBATE What do you think of my predictions? Sean_D

The other teams all had their moments, the Blues making a late run at the league title, the Dragons proving as obdurate as ever at Rodney Parade and making a brave run to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

For a time, the Scarlets looked like European champions in-waiting, but their thrilling run in the Heineken Cup was brutally halted by the Tigers at the semi-final stage.

It seems likely that the sad demise of Border Reivers will benefit the Blues, Dragons and Scarlets, the reduced fixture list easing the pressure on squads that still appear threadbare when compared to the European elite.

Of the summer signings, Gareth Thomas and Paul Tito (Blues), Richard Parks and Adam Jones (Dragons), and Nathan Brew and Ben Broster (Scarlets) could all prove useful.

But those arrivals are countered by the exits of the likes of Mike Phillips (from the Blues), Gareth Cooper, Gough, Aled Brew and Nathan Brew (from the Dragons), and Adam Jones and John Davies (from the Scarlets).

PREDICTED WINNERS Celtic League: Ospreys Magners League 2007/8 Heineken Cup: Stade Francais Heineken Cup 2007/8 Challenge Cup: Worcester Challenge Cup 2007/8 Anglo-Welsh Cup: Scarlets EDF Energy Cup 2007/8 Scrum V: Give your predictions

The real eye-catching recruitment once again comes from the Ospreys, who have snaffled up Phillips, Gough and - perhaps most significantly - Marty Holah.

The Liberty Stadium outfit have a favouable Heineken Cup draw and have to be seen as Wales' best hope in the tournament.

But whether Lyn Jones' team have developed the big-game mentality to take them through the knockout stages remains to be seen, and Stade Francais are my tip for that tournament.

The Ospreys' squad could be powerful enough to get them through two away games in the group stages of the EDF Energy Cup.

But the Scarlets have the most favoured draw of the Welsh sides and their cup pedigree could make them a reasonable bet for the Anglo-Welsh competition.

As for the Magners League, the Irish sides will be even more distracted than usual by the demands of the international season, while Edinburgh look to have been emasculated.