A look at pool six
HEINEKEN CUP PEDIGREE: Toulouse, four-time winners, are the ultimate European kingpins. Harlequins haven't progressed to the knock-out stages in six attempts, although hey did win a second Challenge Cup last season after their semi-final exploits at Thomond Park. Victims of the Miracle Match in '03 when at heir zenith, Gloucester have reached two quarter-finals in five attempts since then, whereas Connacht are making their long-awaited debut in the competition.
FORMGUIDE:Toulouse, reigning French champions, lead the way in the Top 14 despite having 11 players at the World Cup, including five starting finalists. Guy Noves' magic touch in the transfer market has seemingly worked again with the rejuvenated and prolific Luke McAlister. Harlequins lead the Premiership, with Gloucester in a possibly flattering fourth. A handy one for Connacht, eh?
They have remained competitive, despite a quartet of leading men departing, but nonetheless lie ninth in the Pro12 after four successive defeats.
FORECAST:Drawn with the pacesetters in France and England, as well as a second English team, even one win would be an achievement for Connacht. The World Cup will have drained Toulouse more than most; they had to rely on McAlister's boot for a rusty, tryless win at home to Perpignan last week. Even so, Gloucester at home and then Galway looks to have fallen nicely for them. Back-to-back clashes against Harlequins in December could well shape the final pool table. Conor O'Shea (pictured) has revived Quins superbly after their Bloodgate fall-out. They could accompany Toulouse into the last eight.
ODDS:Toulouse 4/11, Harlequins 7/2, Gloucester 5/1, Connacht 150/1.
FIXTURES: Friday, Nov 11th: Harlequins v Connacht. Sunday, Nov 13th: Toulouse v Gloucester. Saturday Nov 19th: Gloucester v Harlequins, Connacht v Toulouse. Friday, Dec 9th: Harlequins v Toulouse. Saturday, Dec 10th: Connacht v Gloucester. Saturday, Dec 17th: Gloucester v Connacht. Sunday, Nov 18th: Toulouse v Harlequins. Jan 13th-15th: Toulouse v Connacht; Harlequins v Gloucester. Jan 20th-22nd: Connacht v Harlequins; Gloucester v Toulouse.
