The Journey to Twickenham begins

This weekend a new European rugby tournament kicks off with teams from the Aviva Premiership, France’s Top 14 and the Celtic (Ireland, Wales and Scotland) Pro12 will compete for the Champions Cup with the final at Twickenham.

So here’s your team by team guide.

Pool 1

Clermont Auvergne (1st in Top 14) – The French side is going well in the league and will be looking to get some payback against Saracens this Saturday after last seasons semi – final humiliation. However, losing 51 – 21 to Bordeaux didn't help and the likes of Munster and Saracens will be sniffing for blood, but in France this team will be hard to beat.  Prediction  - Third.

Munster (4th in Pro 12) – Despite their league position you should never write off this Irish team because when Europe comes around they up their game and this was shown when they beat rivals Leinster. Last season they came close to beating Toulon in the semi – final and in France as well, so expect this team to be up there.  Prediction  - Second.

Sale (10th in Aviva Prem) – Sale may not set this group a light, but they will have a big say in who will top the group when the likes of Clermont and Munster visit the AJ Bell Stadium so expect a shocker or two. Prediction – Fourth.

Saracens (2nd in Aviva Prem) – After being hammered in the final last season and being in a tough group this Sarries side would have learnt from last seasons final and will be even stronger this season. So expect this English team to go far. Prediction – First.

Pool 2

Castres (12th in Top 14) – The French club has had a terrible start to the season and they might need this to kick start their season, however if they lose the first two games then don’t be surprised to see them change their focus on the Top 14 instead. Prediction – Third

Harlequins (7th in Aviva Prem) – Like their French counterparts, Quins haven’t had the best start to the season, but this team have top players and is the spine of the England team so players like Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown will up their game and will make the Stoop a hard place for visiting teams to get a result. Prediction – Second

Leinster (6th in Pro 12) – Depending if they can get a good start against a strong Wasps side and even though they have lost the legendary Brian O’Driscoll but this Irish side have a lot of fresh, young players. Prediction – First

Wasps (5th in Aviva Prem) – Beating Bath last Sunday showed real intent by the soon to be Midlands club, but returning to the European elite after years away will be a big ask for them, however – like Sale – they will have a lot to say in who will progress and if they do get out of the group stages, they could be a dark horse. Prediction – Fourth

Pool 3

Leicester (8th in Aviva Prem) – Their Premiership season has gone a bit tits up, but the win against Harlequins would give the Tigers confidence and this competition will be a good distraction, however, it will be hard for them to get out of this group it’s all depending what happens against Ulster. Prediction – Third

Toulon (2nd in Top 14) – This is the team to beat not only in the group but in the whole tournament. The French side are the reigning champions and are looking to win their third European trophy in a row and with the big signings and superstars they have, it’s very likely Toulon will be in the final at Twickenham. Prediction – First

Scarlets (7th in Pro 12) – It’s hard to see what this Welsh side could do in this group they might have a same say in who will get second in the group and they have the capability of battling with Leicester for third. Prediction – Fourth

Ulster (3rd in Pro 12) – This Irish team have unfinished business with Europe losing to Saracens last year and reaching the final the year before being humiliated by Leinster. If they get a good start against Leicester then the Ulster can go far and are the dark horses of the tournament. Prediction – Second

Pool 4

The most interesting group of the whole Champions Cup because it’s hard to see who will go through.

Bath (4th in Aviva Prem) – Before the Wasps game last Sunday Bath would have been favourites. Now it’s hard to say because we know what the English club is like in attack, but if the other sides bring a strong defence, they can be stopped but wins away to Glasgow and Toulouse they will top the group. Prediction – First

Glasgow (2nd in Pro 12) – The Scottish side are the surprise team so far they have started the season very strongly and have a real chance of getting through the group they will be hard to beat at home and if they bring their form into this tournament then you can see them pushing for a knockout place. Prediction – Second

Montpellier (4th in Top 14) – They want the Top 14 trophy so much they will be focusing on that instead of Europe, but if they beat their French rivals and Bath at the Rec then they could get through, but if they lose on British soil then don’t be surprise if they focus on winning the Top 14. Prediction – Third

Toulouse (8th in Top 14) – Even though beat Toulon this isn’t the French side of the early 2000’s. Prediction – Fourth

Pool 5

Benetton Treviso (12th in Pro 12) – The Italian club haven’t won a game this season in the Pro 12 and don’t be surprised for this form to continue. Prediction – Fourth

Northampton (1st in Aviva Prem) – This English side will run away in the group and the form they have brought from the Premiership and (along with Toulon) they will be the team to beat and could make the final. Prediction – First

Ospreys (1st in Pro 12) – The young Welsh team are unbeaten in the Pro 12 so far and if they bring this form to France against Racing Metro then will clinch second place in the group. Prediction - Second

Racing Metro (7th in Top 14) – They’ve had a mixed season so far, but they have beaten Toulon and they could be very powerful but they’re inconsistent and this could be their downfall the showdown game will be against Ospreys in Paris. Prediction – Third 

Five teams from each pool will automatically qualify for the quarter – finals along with the three best second placed teams.

Here are the four teams which will compete and they are Saracens, Northampton, Toulon and one of Leinster and Ulster.