Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Brian Moore believes the sides that manage to shrug off the excesses of the World Cup will spearhead the challenge for the Heineken Cup.
"Whatever disappointments came from northern hemisphere sides in the World Cup, fans can find succour in the world’s best club rugby competition. While excitement is guaranteed; who will shine is altogether less certain.
"Irrespective of when they exited or how well or poorly they played, those players who went to the World Cup will vary in their performances in the Heineken Cup.
"It will not be lack of effort or application, but they were so focused on the World Cup that it is almost impossible for them to simply switch into club mode. Whichever sides’ stars find their form first will go a long way to deciding the crucial first few pool games. This is significant because as only one team per pool is guaranteed to progress, a bad start could be irredeemable.
"For example, will the French internationals be buoyed by knowing they pushed the world champions right to the edge or will they carry residual disaffection from knowing they could, possibly should, have won on that day?"
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