How Edinburgh's European Cup Group One rivals shape up

Beaten home and away by Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup two years ago but have since acquired the services of former Scotland captain and cap record holder Scott Murray at second row.

Not since 2002 have they progressed beyond the group stages and that year they reached the semi-finals, losing to Munster.

Currently tenth out of 14 in the French club championship they have won all four home games and lost every time on the road. However, their scalps include Toulouse and they are just five points off third place.

As well as Murray, the 2003 European Shield winners can field All Black Chris Masoe and giant Georgian forward, Akvseni Giorgadze.

Northampton Saints

Former winners and the only English team to qualify for the knockout stages last year. Another side who, historically, should hold no fears as Edinburgh have beaten them home and away in the past.

Currently second in the English premiership, Saints have wins over Leicester, Harlequins, Bath and Exeter from their five starts with a side containing key individuals such as Shane Geraghty, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton.

Saints seem to know a thing about marketing, too, with tonight's game against Castres preceded by a visit from the French conkers team preparing for world championships in England this weekend and willing to take on all-comers!

Cardiff Blues

Edinburgh have won on three of their last four league visits to Cardiff so history is on their side, at least.

Few teams in these islands have a better European tradition than Cardiff, who lost the in inaugural final to Toulouse in 1996.Two years ago, they featured in the first-ever penalty shoot out which cost them a semi- final with Leicester. Last season, Cardiff lost to Toulouse in the group stage but, qualifying for the second-tier Challenge Cup on scoring differential, they went on to lift that trophy. That seems to have provided the impetus for a solid start with four wins out of five Magners League games. The Blues can field All Black Xavier Rush, Tongan Maama Molitika, Lion Martyn Williams and Scotland's Dan Parks.