BORDERS
Coach Steve Bates
Captain Paul Thomson
In William Kay (Newcastle), Matt Parr (Orrell), Mark Blair (Narbonne), Scott Gray (Bath), Andy Millar (South Sydney/ Gala), Wayne McEntee ((Waikato), Kelly Brown, Johnny Weston (Melrose), Charlie Hore (Otago), Jamie King (Berwick), Ally Dickson, Ally Warnock (Edinburgh), Joe Pattison (Hawick), Jon Steel, Stuart Moffat (Glasgow), Tom McGee (Boroughmuir), James King (Berwick), Ben Duncan (Tynedale)
Out Craig Moir (released), Cammy Murray, Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong (retired), Craig Dunlea, Scott Paterson (NZ), Iain Fairley (Kelso), Campbell Feather (Ulster), Dan Kane (released), Clark Laidlaw (Jed), Jon Stuart (Lyon), Matt Taylor (released), Tony Walker (Exeter), Tanner Vili (Japan), Semo Sititi (Newcastle), Kelvin Todd (Rugby), Gregor Townsend (France via South Africa)
Key man Chris Cusiter, arguably the best scrum-half in the British Isles right now but having to cope with an enormous amount of responsibility for one so young
One to watch Andy Millar was in the right place at the right time when Scotland needed back-up help in Australia over the summer and there can be no more useful trait in a flanker
Last season 12th and last
Prediction Will finish higher than last time around, but only - since they have had to put a very new squad together on a shoestring - because the number of competing sides is now down by one
ELEVENTH
llanelli scarlets
Coach Gareth Jenkins
Captain Simon Easterby
In Arwel Thomas, Matthew Rees, Aisea Havili (Celtic Warriors), Jonathan Mills (Colston's), Gavin Thomas (Ospreys)
Out Emyr Lewis (Felinfoel), Leigh Davies (released), Stephen Jones (Montferrand), Adam Yelland (New Zealand)
Key man Scott Quinnell, pictured, having retired from playing for Wales, will need a huge season if he is to fulfil his wish and get on to another Lions tour
One to watch Arwel Thomas is far from a youngster but the elfin stand off may be about to enjoy the best years of his career in the scarlet No.10 jersey worn so inspirationally by the likes of Barry John, Phil Bennett and Jonathan Davies in the past
Last season Champions
Prediction May struggle to sustain challenges in both Europe and the Celtic League and with coach Gareth Jenkins rightly desperate to prove a point after being snubbed by Wales they may sacrifice the domestic competition if they have a serious chance of Heineken glory with an ageing sideTHIRD
neath-swansea Ospreys
Coach Lyn Jones
Captain Barry Williams
In Matt Jones (Neath), David Bishop, Sonny Parker, Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones (Celtic Warriors), Jason Spice (Wellington)
Out Gareth Llewellyn, (Narbonne), Gavin Thomas (Llanelli), Gareth Swales (released), James Storey (Munster), Chris Wells (Aberavon), Rob Sweeney (released)
Key man Brent Cockbain's arrival as part of their share of the Celtic Warriors break-up could add an extra, gangling but tough dimension to their forward play
One to watch Gavin Henson, their
spiky-haired stand off, is a cocky customer who could grow in stature behind a ball-winning pack
Last season Fifth
Prediction Perhaps the least impressive of the Welsh sides in the competition but have enough depth to sustain more of a challenge than the skeleton-staffed Scots and under-strength Irish teams
FIFTH
munster
Coach Alan Gaffney
Captain Anthony Foley
In Paul Burke (Harlequins), James Storey (Ospreys), Mike Storey (NZ)
Out Simon Kerr, Dominic Crotty, Jason Jones-Hughes, Killian Keane (all retired), Jeremy Staunton (Harlequins), Andy Long (Newcastle)
Key man Paul Burke was an enormously influential figure at Harlequins and, back in Ireland, provides marvellous playmaking options alongside Ronan O'Gara who may not be around that much
One to watch Donncha O'Callaghan is an outstanding talent in the second-row who will merely go from strength to strength this season
Last season Seventh
Prediction It will depend on how much they see of their Test players. The likelihood is they will not be around enough to help sustain a title challenge for a team which focuses on Europe more than any otherSIXTH
newport gwent dragons
Coach Chris Anderson
Captain Jason Forster
In Gareth Cooper, Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Wyatt, Kevin Morgan, Jonathan Bryant, Richard Bryan (Celtic Warriors), James Richards (Leicester)
Out Bobby Skinstad (released), Andy Marinos (retired), Lee Jarvis (Penzance), Shawn van Rensburg (Coventry), Steve Winn (Swansea)
Key man Gareth Cooper is a player of whom an enormous amount has been expected over the years and he has not yet fully delivered at either Bath or the Celtic Warriors, but could just find the perfect time to establish himself with a Lions tour ahead
One to watch Ross Beattie, pictured, is no youngster, but then there are none in this Dragons squad. Scots will watch with interest to see if this powerful big lump can clear himself of injuries and widen Matt Williams' back-row options
Last season Third
Prediction Unlikely to be as badly affected by international calls as some of the other Welsh sides so could stay in the title hunt a long way againFOURTH
lInfo on other six Celtic League clubs in Weekend Sport tomorrow
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