Ulster and Connacht each face Italian opposition, and given the Westerners are away to Cavalieri while Aironi are the visitors to Ravenhill, it is safe to assume that a four point win is the minimum requirement for the teams perceived as the island's lesser lights.
Ulster will be out to change that perception this year, with the influx of Springboks Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller and Pedrie Wannenburg providing a mix of craft and grunt. Another factor to aid the Northern Province in outlasting Munster and Leinster is the draw for the pool.
Joe Schmidt's men are in the group of death, with the nouveau riche, Racing Metro. Clermont Auvergne, who claimed the French crown with Schmidt's help last year. And Saracens, who lost out to Leicester in the Premiership finale. It is the first time ever two French sides will compete in the same pool.
Munster will only have one French obstacle, Amlin Challenge champions Toulon along with this weekend opponents London Irish and the pride of Wales, the Ospreys.
But Ulster will face Bath, a declining Biarritz and, crucially, the Italian's. With the quarter final draw influenced by points totals, they will be aiming for a 10 point against the new franchise.
Coach Brian McLaughlin has recalled Ian Humphreys from the cold to partner Pienaar at half back. The slight number 10 has not seen any action this season owing to the form of Niall O'Conner, who is not named on the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.
In the Challenge Cup, Eric Elwood brings his troops to Stadio Lungobisenzio to face Cavlieri Estra. Connacht managed to win all six pool matches in this competition last season but this time round must face stiff opponents in Bayonne and a Harlequins side rejuvenated under Conor O'Shea.
John Muldoon will return to captain the side after breaking his arm on Ireland duty in the summer while there are full debuts for prop, Rob Sweeney, number nine, Cillian Willis and wing, Darragh Fanning. They will, collectively look to unleash the individual talents of Ian Keatley and Fionn Carr.
In Saturday's lunchtime kick off, Jonny Sexton will make his (long overdue) first start of the season. He will partner Eoin Reddan after the pair came off the bench and helped turn the tide against Munster last week. Leo Cullen is still sidelined as Schmidt and forwards coach, Jono Gibbes, opted not to risk rushing him back from a shoulder operation.
By the time that match provides us with a clue as to how long Leinster will be involved in this years premier competition, Munster will be ready for action in Reading's Madejski stadium.
While Lifeimi Mafi was handed a seven week ban after his swinging arm tackle connected with the temple of Gordon D'Arcy, There was further bad news when it was confirmed that Tomas O'leary would miss the next two months due to a broken thumb.
On the plus side Keith Earls returns to the fold and will slot straight into the void vacated by Mafi at outside centre.
After a disappointing display against Leinster, Paul Warwick has been named on the bench with Johne Murphy ready to operate at fullback. Also taken out of the line up is Alan Quinlan whose blindside space will be taken by captain Denis Leamy with James Coughlan stepping up to the number eight position.
With a break in Premier League action and International Football on Friday and Tuesday nights, the opening weekend of European Rugby action could not have been better timed.
Bring it on.
Ulster v Aironi (H Cup): J Smith; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; B Young, R Best (capt), T Court; T Barker, J Muller; P Wannenburg, C Henry, R Diack.
Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Whitten, D Tuohy, W Faloon, D McIlwaine, I Whitten, P Marshall.
Leinster v Racing metro (H Cup): R Kearney; I Nacewa, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; H Van Der Merwe, R Strauss, M Ross; N Hines, D Toner; S O'Brien, S Jennings, J Heaslip (Capt.).
Replacements: J Harris-Wright, C Healy, S Shawe, M Galarza, D Ryan, I Boss, F McFadden, S Horgan
Munster v London Irish (H Cup): J Murphy; D Howlett, K Earls, S Tuitupou, D Hurley, R O'Gara, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, D Ryan; D Leamy (Capt,) N Ronan J Coughlan.
Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, J Hayes, M O'Driscoll, D Wallace, D Williams, P Warwick, S Deasy.
Connacht v Cavalieri Estra (AC Cup):T Nathan; D Fanning, N Ta-auso, M Nikora, F Carr; I Keatley, C Willis; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Sweeney, M Swift, B Upton, A Browne, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (Capt.)
Replacements: D Murphy, B Fa'amausili, R Loughney, M McComish, M McCarthy, F Murphy, A Wynne, S Monahan.
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