Pool 1 is set to be hotly contested. The opening round did not fail to disappoint for surprises, as two time champions Munster lost on the road to an impressive Racing Metro side in a waterlogged Stade de France. Surprise of the round was perhaps the manner in which Saracens disposed of last year's semi-finalists Edinborough in Murrayfield. A powerful display saw the London club pick up a 45-0 bonus point win to pt them in poll position in the pool.
In Pool 2, Treviso look primed to be the whipping boys as big guns Toulouse, Leicester and the Ospreys battle it out for what could be only one quarter-final spot. The Ospreys, without Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, and many peoples' tip to be the first Welsh team to capture the Heineken Cup, opened with a bonus point win over their Italian rivals. Toulouse comprehensively beat Leicester in which was priorly dubbed the tie of the round. With a big pack and Luke McAllister pulling the strings of a world-class back-line, the aristocrats are looking as dangerous as ever in their quest for a fifth title.
Harlequins gave Biarritz an early set-back in Pool 3 as they beat the French team with 27 points to spare. The French teams are notorious for not fighting until the end in Europe if things do not start well for them, and this could present opportunities the other teams in the group. Connacht are competing in the competition for the second year, after eliminating Harlequins at the group stage in their maiden campaign last year. Having secured their second ever win in the Heineken Cup against Zebre, there will be quiet optimism in the west of Ireland that they can raise more than a few eyebrows this year and get out of their group.
It is already looking like a two horse race in Pool 4 as the last two beaten finalists, Ulster and Northampton, both picked up bonus point wins in the opening round. Ulster are looking to go one further this year, buoyed by the return of prodigal son Tommy Bowe. Northampton seem to have dealt well with the loss of talisman Chris Ashton, who has moved on to Saracens, as they currently sit on top of the Aviva Premiership. Ulster seem to have the trickier task of the two this weekend when they travel to Glasgow, whereas the Saints go to the south of France to face Castres on Friday night.
Defending champions Leinster, looking to secure an unprecedented three in a row in their back yard of the Aviva Stadium in May, opened their campaign with a dogged win over Exeter at The RDS in Dublin. This was actually the first time they opened the tournament with a win since 2008. Judging by such a record, they will be happy to get a win under their belt as they are just getting started. As for Exeter, coming out of Dublin with a losing bonus point is not a bad result for any side, and they will fancy themselves to regroup for the visit of Clermont Auvergne, who disposed of the Scarlets at home in the opening round.
Big-spenders Toulon sit on top of Pool 6 after picking up maximum points against neighbours Montpellier. The boots of Wilkinson and Giteau, paired with powerful running backs such as Armitage and Bastareud make the French side look a serious proposition this year. Although they are not going to have it all their own way in the group as Sale Sharks, Montpellier and the Cardiff Blues are all set to be competitive.
