Official EPCR Champions Cup Preview Thread - A New Hope

Right, so we're a week away from the kick-off of the new and improved Heineken Cup European Professional Club Rugby Champions Cup. The TV deals are sealed, the awkward photo shoots are done and, erm, some of the fixtures have been announced.

Some of the dead wood of the Pro12 has been cleared out and we're now looking at a streamlined, super competitive tournament.
Say what you want about how we got to this point, but the number of juicy ties every weekend is pretty exciting. The dual TV coverage is a bit of a pain but it does at least mean every game will be covered live so reinforce the sofa cushions, stock up on beers and salty processed foods, it's European rugby time again!

Pool winners and the three best placed runners-up to proceed.

Pool 1:
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Munster
Sale Sharks
Saracens

Round 1:
Sale v Munster - Saturday 18/10/14, 1300 - Sky
Saracens v Clermont - Saturday 18/10/14, 1515 - BT

Round 2:
Munster v Saracens - Friday 24/10/14, 1945 - BT
Clermont v Sale - Sunday 26/10/14, 1515 - Sky

The first of the pools of death sees Munster faced with a very difficult pool. Last year's runners-up, Saracens, have got off to a great start in the Premiership and have a big enough squad to fight on two fronts. Towards the end of last season, Clermont looked to be a spent force but have started the Top 14 season like a train; they always targetted Europe but perhaps under a new coach, they might re-focus on the Top 14? Sale bring up the rear in this pool and could lose interest as the competition wears on.
This pool will be decided by narrow margins, probably depending on who fares best away from home. Munster could have an edge there in that opening their campaign away to Sale followed by hosting Saracens could see them with two wins on the board before the break for the internationals.
Given that Munster, Clermont and Saracens are likely to take points off each other, it's easy to think that this will be one of the pools from which only one team progresses.
FL's prediction: Saracens to progress thanks to their ability to grind out losing BPs.

Pool 2:
Castres Olympique
Harlequins
Leinster
London Wasps

Round 1:
Quins v Castres - Friday 17/10/14, 1945 - BT
Leinster v Wasps - Sunday 19/10/14, 1715 - BT

Round 2:
Castres v Leinster - Sunday 26/10/14, 1300 - Sky
Wasps v Quins - Sunday 26/10/14, 1715 - BT

A draw that most Leinster fans were initially happy with has been made to look even better now that all three opponents have got off to slow starts domestically. Castres have always been ambivalent towards Europe but will very likely be even more focussed on the Top 14 now that they languish in tenth spot. Wasps have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent days so their eye may be taken off the ball too, while Quins have been up and down so far. The elephant in the room is, of course, Leinster's own stuttering start to the season; crippled by injuries and lacking any real cohesion, they may not be able to take full advantage of the kind draw.
An opener at home to Wasps, in the slightly bizarre Sunday evening time-slot, should help to settle their nerves before a tricky trip to Castres.
FL's prediction: Leinster's squad depth to carry them through, Quins to qualify as runner-up.

Pool 3:
Leicester
RC Toulon
Scarlets
Ulster

Round 1:
Leicester v Ulster - 18/10/14, 1945 - BT
Toulon v Scarlets - 19/10/14, 1515 - Sky

Round 2:
Ulster v Toulon - 25/10/14, 1300 - Sky
Scarlets v Leicester - 25/10/14, 1945 - BT

If Munster thought they got a bad draw... Leicester have been awful in the league but they always up their game for Europe, plus Brad Thorn has now arrived. Toulon are quite simply the best team in Europe, with an even stronger squad than last year, and the Scarlets can give anyone a game on their day. With the way the fixtures have fallen, Ulster's campaign could be over by the end of October; a Saturday lunchtime kickoff is not what they would have liked to welcome Toulon to Ravenhill
FL's prediction: Hard to see past Toulon dominating, everyone else to take points off one another and no runner-up to progress.

Pool 4:
Bath Rugby
Glasgow
Montpellier
Toulouse

Round 1:
Glasgow v Bath - 18/10/14, 1515 - BT
Toulouse v Montpellier - 19/10/14, 1300 - Sky

Round 2:
Bath v Toulouse - 25/10/14, 1515 - BT
Montpellier v Glasgow - 25/10/14, 1715 - Sky

An absolutely fascinating pool; Glasgow are the early pace-setters in the Pro12, Bath are second in the Premiership and Montpellier have impressed in the Top 14, while four-time European champions Toulouse have been awful and currently occupy 11th position in the Top 14. A lot will depend on the attitude of the French teams; Montpellier are nigh on invincible at home, will they bother to travel? Will the weakest Toulouse squad of recent times have any interest in Europe? Do Glasgow and Bath have the squad depths to compete in Europe and domestically?
FL's prediction; Haven't a rashers. I'd love to see Glasgow progress but their European pedigree is ropey and away wins will he hard to come by.

Pool 5:
Benetton Treviso
Northampton
Ospreys
Racing Metro 92

Round 1:
Racing v Saints - 18/10/14, 1815 - Sky
Ospreys v Treviso - 19/10/14, 1300 - Sky

Round 2:
Saints v Ospreys - 25/10/14, 1715 - Sky
Treviso v Racing - 26/10/14, 1715 - BT

A lot of this depends on how much Racing decide to target Europe. They are optimistic Jonny Sexton will be back and they look a much happier group of players this season; you still get the feeling that the Top 14 remains their priority though. Northampton sit atop the Premiership while the Ospreys are 5 from 5 in the Pro12 so there is no shortage of in-form teams in this pool. Treviso are yet to win, or even get a losing BP this season and will be dishing out bonus points like so many dolcetti.
FL's prediction: Two teams to progress, most likely Saints and Ospreys.

What are the odds?
Toulon, not surprisingly, are at 5/2 to win the trophy for the third year on the bounce. Somewhat more surprisingly, Leinster remain second favourites at 6/1, with Saints 7/1, Clermont and Saracens 8/1. Ulster and Munster are further back at 20/1.
The real value bet is Glasgow at 60/1, definitely worth a punt.