THE Heineken Cup just gets better and better every season and, looking at the makeup of the pools this time, it’s very tough to even consider picking a winner at this early stage.

Take Bath’s pool for example.

Not only have they got the defending champions Leinster in there, but Glasgow and Montpellier are also going to be very strong opponents.

A lot of Bath guys are going to have points to prove when they kick off their campaign in Glasgow this weekend, after the defeat to Aviva Premiership leaders Harlequins last Saturday.

Most London sides don’t enjoy coming down the M4, but for Quins that match was the easiest ride they have had down here in a long time.

Bath are very much in a phase of building a new side under Sir Ian McGeechan and the judgment on them will come at the end of the season.

It’s very dangerous to make any assumptions about the Heineken Cup this season, especially as we have been in a World Cup year.

You would expect some of the usual suspects – the French and Irish sides and Northampton and Leicester – to be there, but it’s also possible they won’t even make it out of their pools.

There are no easy games in the pool stages. The Italian sides are getting stronger because they are playing the Welsh, Irish and Scottish sides in the Pro 12 competition every week.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we saw a new name on the trophy come next May.

As for me, I’m kicking off my Heineken Cup experience this year with a trip to Toulouse where Gloucester are the visitors.

When I retired from playing I wanted, if possible, to be in a position where I could watch both of my old teams – Bath one week and Gloucester the next.

Toulouse is certainly a fantastic place to watch rugby, although to be honest, I’m just hoping I make it back in one piece.

I’m a guest of the mad Irishman Trevor Brennan, the former Toulouse and Ireland back row down there, so who knows how that will work out!

Let Steve know your thoughts via email at ohoulihan@newswilts.co.uk