A quick preview of the first week's HEC games; (all times Brit local).

Group 1
Perpignan v Dragons (Fri 21:00)
London Irish v Treviso (Sat 15:00)

Should be two home wins in this group this weekend. Treviso looked like they might emerge as a decent team a few seasons ago but have lost some of their better players to the top French and English sides. London Irish can be a real Jekyll and Hyde team but they should be able to bag all five points in this game. Perpignan's early season form has been poor but the Dragons are the worst of the Welsh sides and Perpignan is an intimidating place to visit. Two home wins here this weekend.

Group 2
Ulster v Gloucester (Fri 20:00) LIVE on SKY
Ospreys v Bourgoin (Sat 17:30)

Bottom in the Celtic League versus top of the Guinness Premiership should be no contest but many big sides have gone to Ravenhill and left with no points. Ulster have a good home record and Gloucester have benefited from not having too many players at the World Cup. This should be an away win but Ulster are capable of much better than they've been showing recently. Ospreys will be looking for a win and bonus point. They'll be hoping that Bourgoin's away form in the HEC continues as usual. They're usually a bit more competitive at the start of the comp but this will still be a home win.

Group 3
Stade Francais v Harlequins (Sat 14:35)
Cardiff v Bristol (Sun 13:00) LIVE on SKY

Should be two more home wins in this group. Stade Francais have possibly the best squad in the tournament but have a few injuries at the moment. They should still be too strong for an average Harlequins side. Cardiff are top of the Magners League and in decent form. They've a good squad but a crap coach and a penchant for blowing up when they need to show some real steel. They should have too much for a journeyman Bristol side.

Group 4
Viadana v Biarritz (Sat 14:30)
Saracens v Glasgow (Sun 15:00)

Viadana make this tournament on a regular enough basis but are usually a poor side and Biarritz, even if they're not on top form, should be looking to come away with five points from this game. Saracens v Glasgow should be an interesting game. There was little between the sides last year when they met in the Challenge Cup and Glasgow have made some good signings during the summer. I still fancy a home win here but it should be close.

Group 5
Wasps v Munster (Sat 17:30) LIVE on SKY
Clermont Auvergne v Llanelli (Sun 16:00) LIVE on SKY

Every weekend will be a humdinger in this group. This weekend, the last two champions meet in Coventry on Saturday. Neither is in particularly good form although both were heavily hit by the World Cup. Munster have the wherewithal and experience to win here and I'm quite surprised that Wasps have moved the game from their home ground in Wycombe. The game on Sunday could go either way. Llanelli's pack isn't the best and they'll be looking to move the ball around a lot. If it comes off they can win anywhere but if Clermont can keep it tight, they could well be too strong. Almost impossible to pick a winner in the first game, but I'm picking Clermont to win on Sunday.

Group 6
Leinster v Leicester (Sat 13:30) LIVE on SKY
Edinburgh v Toulouse (Sat 15:30) LIVE on SKY

Two more intriguing ties. Leicester and Toulouse should be the favourites in the group. If Leinster can match Leicester up front they have the backs to beat them. Leinster have brought in a number of players up front, including both Shane Jennings and Leo Cullen from Leicester. Toulouse have lost their opening game in Edinbourgh before and often start slowly in this comp but they should have too much for the Scots who are suffering from the double whammy of having lost a number of key players and also recruiting Andy Robinson as head coach. I'm going to let my heart rule my head for the first game and predict a home win.