Bourgoin, Cardiff, Leicester, Munster: Form is temporary, class is permanent, in which case the combined pedigree of Munster and Leicester (a phenomenal 144 matches, three Cup wins, six finals and 15 appearances in the knock-out stages between them) points to a two-way tussle for qualification.
It's all set-up for another traditional last weekend epic in the Thomond Park bearpit, provided Munster don't leave themselves too much ground to make up after Sunday's joust.
Bourgoin will be a tough nut to crack at Stade Pierre Rajon, though moving their Munster tie to Geneva shouldn't hinder Declan Kidney's men. But they are feeling the effects of a heavy domestic schedule.
An improving Cardiff will rid themselves of their under-achieving, somewhat brittle image one year, but their typically ill-disciplined away efforts suggests it won't be this season.
Forecast: The heart and most of the head says another last-day salvage act can help the champions squeeze out Leicester.
FIXTURES Saturday: Bourgoin v Cardiff (4.30). Sunday: Leicester v Munster (3.0). Oct 28th: Munster v Bourgoin (5.30). Oct 29th: Cardiff v Leicester (3.0). Dec 8th: Bourgoin v Leicester (8.30). Dec 10th: Cardiff v Munster (1.0). Dec 16th: Leicester v Bourgoin (2.45); Munster v Cardiff (5.30). Jan 12th-14th: Bourgoin v Munster, Leicester v Cardiff. Jan 19th-21st: Cardiff v Bourgoin, Munster v Leicester.
