Pool two

A look at pool two

HEINEKEN CUP PEDIGREE:Not exactly a field of course-and-distance specialists. Racing Metro have little to speak of, having won two games on their debut last season.

Cardiff have progressed from the pool stages six times in 17 attempts and were semi-finalists a couple of seasons ago, though for all their ambitions and investment, flattered to deceive last season. One semi-final three seasons ago is the summit of London Irish’s achievement, though as Leinster and Munster can both testify in the last two seasons, Bob Casey’s men can take scalps.

In 14 attempts, Edinburgh have managed one quarter-final appearance, and that was as one of the best runners-up.

FORMGUIDE: Away wins to Castres and Brive have steadied the Racing ship after four defeats in five to elevate them to fifth in the Top 14. Similarly, wins away to Aironi and Connacht ended a run of three successive defeats to leave Cardiff fifth, though last weekend's postponement away to the Dragons leaves them rusty. London Irish stand third in the Premiership despite losing more matches than they've won. Edinburgh stand 10th in Pro 12 after losing five of their first seven though last week's win in Treviso was encouraging.

FORECAST:Such pedigree as there is points to Cardiff advancing, and they also welcome back relatively buoyed men on a mission, such as the phenomenally mature Sam Warburton (pictured) and Leigh Halfpenny, as well as the Gavin Henson sideshow.

They also have, for better or worse, Dan Parks to kick his goals. Doubts persist about Irish’s strength in depth and Edinburgh’s quality. Cardiff to come through.

ODDS:Racing Metro 6/4, Cardiff Blues 15/8, London Irish 11/5, Edinburgh 22/1.

FIXTURES: Friday, Nov 11th: Racing Metro v Cardiff Blues; Saturday, Nov 12th: London Irish v Edinburgh; Friday, Nov 18th: Cardiff Blues v London Irish, Edinburgh v Racing Metro; Friday, Dec 9th: Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh, Saturday, Dec 10th: Racing Metro v London Irish; Friday, Dec 16th: Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues; Saturday, Dec 17th: London Irish v Racing Metro; Jan 13th-15th: London Irish v Cardiff Blues, Racing Metro v Edinburgh; January 20th-22nd: Cardiff Blues v Racing Metro, Edinburgh v London Irish.