POOL A

Coach: Mike Ruddock.

Captain: Gabriel Fulcher.

Ground: Donnybrook.

Colours: Royal Blue/White/Yellow/Navy blue/Red. Blue shorts.

One to watch: Shane Horgan (centre). The Irish Under-21 international has matured so quickly and should profit from a few French lessons. Future international if he continues to progress.

Prospects: Today's clash with Llanelli at Stradey Park is definitely the key match in the group. Victory would offer Leinster a huge fillip and the probability of claiming the runners-up berth behind the peerless Stade Francais.

Fixtures

v Llanelli Sept 19th (a), Nov 6th (h).

v Stade Francais Sept 25th (h), Oct 17th (a).

v Begles-Bordeaux Oct 9th (h), Oct 31st (a).

Stade Francais

Coach: Bernard Laporte. Captain: Vincent Moscato. Ground: Stade Jean Bouin. Colours: Blue/Red. One to watch: Christophe Dominici (wing). Sublime finisher.

Prospects: Group and probable European Cup winners. Backboned by quality, 13 internationals in the squad including Xavier Blond, Sebastien Viars, Richard Dourthe and Italian out-half Diego Dominguez. Hammered everyone in France to date, a fate that will befall their opponents in this pool.

Begles-Bordeaux

Coach: Philippe Berbizier. Captain: Olivier Brouzet. Ground: Stade Andre-Maga. Colours: Blue/White.

One to watch: Eric Rush. The New Zealand Sevens star is supposed to link up with them in time for some of the group games.

Prospects: Twice conquered by Connacht last season, they have brought in several new faces. Poor start to the season in France, they are definitely beatable despite the presence of internationals Olivier Brouzet, Guy Accoceberry and Marc de Rougement. Third in group.

Llanelli

Coach: Gareth Jenkins. Captain: Robin McBryde. Ground: Stradey Park. Colours: Scarlet.

One to watch: Craig Warlow (out-half). Touted as a special talent.

Prospects: Not the power they once were but still capable at Stradey Park. An understrength side was thrashed by Munster in a pre-season friendly but a team that boasts 11 Welsh internationals offers an obvious threat. Will need Rupert Moon, Nigel Davies and Wayne Proctor to inspire the younger generation. Capable of second but may finish bottom.