The European Rugby Champions Cup kicks off this weekend and we're very excited. It genuinely looks like every match will be make-or-break right from the very first week. Of course, given the group draws, good form in the domestic leagues won't necessarily equal a good weekend in the ERCC, so we're trying to sort out just where everyone sits in terms of their hopes for a good tournament.
So with that in mind, and to celebrate 20 years of Heineken supporting European rugby, we've revealed our pre-tournament power rankings. Makes sure to check back on Monday when they're updated after this weekend's results, and be sure to use the hashtag #StarMoments on twitter to share your favourite moments of European Rugby.
1. Toulon
Pool 3: Leicester Tigers, Ulster, Scarlets
Current position in Top 14: 2nd
Big signings: Leigh Halfpenny, James O'Connor, Juan Martin Hernandez, Fabien Barcella, Mamuka Gorgodze.
2. Northampton
Pool 5: Racing Metro, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 1st
Big signings:
3. Clermont
Pool 1: Saracens, Munster, Sale Sharks
Current position in Top 14: 1st
Big signings: Sébastien Vahaamahina, Jonathan Davies, Zac Guildford, Nick Abendanon, Camille Lopez
4. Saracens
Pool 1: Munster, Clermont Auvergne, Sale Sharks
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 2nd
Big signings: Jim Hamilton, Kieran Longbottom
5. Leinster
Pool 2: Castres, Harlequins, London Wasps
Current position in Pro 12: 6th
Big signings: Kane Douglas, Ben Te'o
6. Toulouse
Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier, Bath
Current position in Top 14: 2nd
Big signings: Corey Flynn, Toby Flood, Imanol Harinordoquy, Alexis Palisson, Neemia Tialata
7. Racing Metro
Pool 5: Northampton Saints, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
Current position in Top 14: 7th
Big signings: Brice Dulin, Antonie Claassen, Casey Laulala, Luke Charteris, Johan Goosen
8. Ulster
Pool 3: Toulon, Leicester Tigers, Scarlets
Current position in Pro 12: 3rd
Big signings: Ian Humphreys, Wiehahn Herbst, Franco van der Merwe
9. Munster
Pool 1: Saracens, Clermont Auvergne, Sale Sharks
Current position in Pro 12: 4th
Big signings: Andrew Smith, Tyler Bleyendaal, Robin Copeland, Eusebio Guiñazú
10. Montpellier
Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Bath, Toulouse
Current position in Top 14: 4th
Big signings: Benjamin Fall, Ben Mowen, Akapusi Qera, Tom Donnelly, Tom Donnelly
11. Bath
Pool 4: Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier, Toulouse
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 4th
Big signings: Sam Burgess
12. Leicester
Pool 3: Toulon, Ulster, Scarlets
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 8th
Big signings: Freddie Burns, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Robert Barbieri, Brad Thorn
13. Harlequins
Pool 2: Leinster, Castres, London Wasps
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 7th
Big signings: Marland Yarde, Asaeli Tikoirotuma
14. Glasgow Warriors
Pool 4: Montpellier, Bath, Toulouse
Current position in Pro 12: 2nd
Big signings: James Downey, Euan Murray
15. Wasps
Pool 2: Leinster, Castres, Harlequins
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 5th
Big signings: Bradley Davies, Ruaridh Jackson
16. Ospreys
Pool 5: Northampton Saints, Racing Metro, Treviso
Current position in Pro 12: 1st
Big signings: Daniel Evans
17. Sale
Pool 1: Saracens, Munster, Clermont Auvergne
Current position in Aviva Premiership: 10th
Big signings: Nathan Hines, Chris Cusiter, Alberto De Marchi
18. Castres
Pool 2: Leinster, Harlequins, London Wasps
Current position in Top 14: 12th
Big signings: Johnny Beattie, Sitiveni Sivivatu
19. Llanelli Scarlts
Pool 3: Toulon, Leicester Tigers, Ulster
Current position in Pro 12: 7th
Big signings: Regan King, Michael Tagicakibau
20. Treviso
Pool 5: Northampton Saints, Racing Metro, Ospreys
Current position in Pro 12: 12th
Big signings: Salesi Manu, Jayden Hayward, Albert Anae
