Leinster have their timings right again for Europe. They had the benefit of a home game last weekend before the real competition kicks off, against Munster no less, and then an opening Champions Cup contest at home. Against French opposition too.

On this occasion, the home side welcome Montpellier to the Aviva, a side going well in their domestic competition – one that always remains the priority for their clubs.

The last time Leinster had to travel for their opening round fixture was back in 2013; five out of the last six years have seen them start the tournament in the friendly confines of Dublin 4 and it has stood to them as they only lost one of those matches.

Based on their display against Munster (before an impressive 46,000) on Saturday, they are in good fettle. The standout absentees – Sean O’Brien and Garry Ringrose – weren’t missed and there appears to be a chance that O’Brien might play on Saturday. So, too, could Isa Nacewa, which would further add to their attacking options.

Robbie Henshaw’s latest centre partner, Rory O’Loughlin, has slotted in comfortably outside the two Irish Lions and 10 and 12 and his two tries at the weekend were taken with composure.

With Joey Carbery at full-back, another whose first instinct is to attack, Leinster are beginning to resemble the swashbuckling side of old. Leo Cullen is no longer a rookie coach and he probably has the best squad at his disposal in some time, albeit without Heaslip and Ringrose for now. They can provide some boost if both are back in harness around Christmas and the vital after-Christmas rounds of the Champions Cup.

It is set up for Leinster to take a bonus point this weekend, then take something from Glasgow a week later. The back-to-back games against Exeter in December won’t faze them and perhaps the gladiators will be back for possibly the key game of the pool stages: Glasgow at home in early January, with Jamie and Garry champing at the bit.

Leinster are well placed to start with a bang and qualify for the knockout stages. They have the pack, they have the backs and they have the stardust that the likes of Sexton, Ringrose, Carbery, Henshaw, O’Brien and Furlong bring.

Munster

Munster, on the other hand, might struggle this campaign. Although Peter O’Mahony is back in gear, they are perhaps lacking that sprinkling of magic dust that Leinster possess.

While Munster were always the worker bees, the sum of their parts often better than whatever set of galacticos were facing them, their squad depth might come against them in the coming weeks and months. The strength of their group doesn’t help either. Neither does the familiarity all three pool opponents have with Thomond Park.

Racing 92 and Leicester will be desperately hard to beat away from home, while Castres first up is a huge ask as well. Trips to France in this competition are usually desirable mid to late pool stages, when the possibility of the French side being out of contention can help the visitors.

This Sunday lunchtime in the Stade Pierre Fabre is a big ask for Munster. Racing 92, fresh off beating Leicester, come to Thomond Park next weekend and this fortnight starts to loom large in Munster’s entire season.

There were few positives to take from the Leinster beating, which was a lot heavier that the 23-17 loss suggested. The pack were flat and Keith Earls aside, the backs looked far from livewire.

It has often been the Munster way to lull opponents, sometimes supporters and definitely pundits, into a false sense of security, one that has them thinking Munster are gone.

Regardless of what happens on Sunday, they will bounce a week later in Limerick, when they have their own to rouse them. But I fear they will arrive home pointless and up against the wall earlier than usual this autumn.

Ulster

Ulster probably had the perfect preparation for Wasps in the visit of Connacht to Ravenhill last Friday night. The Connacht men always test a side and you rarely look too pretty beating them. It was that way for Ulster and it should stand to them when the English side come calling.

Wasps have troubles of their own recently and have lost four on the trot in their domestic league, conceding 38 points at Saracens last Saturday.

Right now, Eliott Daly is the only Wasps player showing international class, although playing in the centre the past few weeks, where his finishing quality is perhaps hidden.

Les Kiss finally seems to have some momentum on his side and this is a huge game for the home side. They simply must win and start the Champions Cup campaign positively. The Friday night start should also help, the atmosphere in Belfast will be rocking – a bonus point is within their grasp.

The pool isn’t the worst, with Harlequins and La Rochelle short of Champions Cup experience and the schedule has been kind.

There is plenty of depth and experience in the Ulster squad (Bowe 33, Trimble 32, Payne 31 and Best 35), which is always crucial in those critical moments, but perhaps most importantly there are a couple of serious players hitting their prime.

Charles Piutau and Iain Henderson are both 25, in their prime, and these are men who can break games open. Guys with the X-factor decide between the also-rans and the contenders, so maybe Jacob Stockdale at only 21 can make an early difference too.

All told, Ulster are in a good place on the field. They can join Leinster with something tangible to look forward to come the last weekend in March and the quarter-finals.

Connacht

Connacht have been banished to the Challenge Cup after their incredible 18 months flirting with greatness. Venues like Oyonnax, Brive and Worcester have honesty about them, but nothing like the glamour Connacht have enjoyed in recent times.

No matter, they will travel in numbers to support the green. And as usual they won’t be let down. Any team with Ultan Dillane, Finley Bealham, Bundee Aki, Kieran Marmion, Tiernan O’Halloran and warriors like Johnny Muldoon in the engine room will be trouble for anyone. Keeping all of those guys fit would make Connacht great again. Fingers crossed this weekend. CL