The quest for European glory returns this weekend as Round Five of the Heineken Cup kicks-off on Friday evening. Even at this stage of the competition, many of the early favorites are facing certain elimination.

Leinster are all but out of proceedings, which is a shame as it takes the gloss off their forthcoming high-profile game against three-times champions Toulouse. Other pre-tournament favorites such as Llanelli Scarlets, Leicester Tigers and Stade Francais have all flattered to deceive and their inability to light up the competition has been a major disappointment. Because many of the European superpowers will exit at the pool stages, the likelihood is that the route to the final will become easier for those sides that do progress to the knock-out stages.

Pool five is delicately poised and hanging in the balance. Munster currently sit on top of the pile with fourteen points, just one point ahead of old-rivals Wasps. Clermont Auvergne, the in-form French side, are a further three-points behind on ten points. Any of those aforementioned teams can qualify from this group and whichever side does progress will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Wasps v Llanelli

This weekend Wasps entertain a despondent Llanelli Scarlets. The English are odds-on favourites to secure the vital victory and a four-try bonus point should be well within their grasp. The other game in this pool takes place on Sunday evening in the heart of France. Arguably the biggest game of the weekend across Europe, and one of the most eagerly awaited contests of this season's Heineken Cup, Munster face the daunting trip to stade Marcel Michelin to face Clermont Auvergne.

Despite being relative novices in European circles, Clermont Auvergne have the financial muscle to rival any team in world rugby.

A number of high-profile signings, coupled with your typical French hardliners, have turned this side into a serious contender. A monstrous pack is beautifully complemented by a scintillating backline.

They currently lie in second-place in the French Championship and so far this season they have secured a maximum ten points at home in Europe while conceding a measly nothing.

Almight punch

The French side pack an almighty punch, with a vicious bite to match. Up front the Argentinian duo of Mario Ledesma and Martin Scelzo are a match for any front-row combination. The impending confrontation with Munster's John Hayes and Jerry Flannery is just one appealing aspect of the fixture. Elsewhere in the pack Julien Bonnaire and Elvis Vermeulen provide a wonderful back-row combination of power and pace. Bonnaire was exceptional last weekend, putting in a try-scoring display during Clermont's 26-6 victory over Auch in the French Championship. Both Denis Leamy and David Wallace can expect a busy afternoon in what promises to be a very fiery atmosphere.

For the visitors, news this week of the impending return of Paul O'Connell and Alan Quinlan will have buoyed both the squad and management. Neither player is expected to reclaim their starting place in time for this Sunday's game, however their presence on the bench should have the necessary psychological effect both on their own players and the opposition. O'Connell hasn't played since Ireland's final pool game during the recent World Cup.

A niggling back injury has prevented Munster's captain from taking to the field with his province this season. However, he came through a forty minute run-out with his club, Young Munster, last weekend and also took part in a twenty-five minute full-contact session in Charleville on Monday. Quinlan, meanwhile, has made a miraculous recovery since breaking a bone in his hand during the recent Magners League clash against Newport Gwent Dragons at Musgrave Park.

If Munster hope to progress to the knock-out stages of this season's European Cup then they must secure a losing bonus-point at the very least. No side in Europe has managed that feat at the stade Marcel Michelin yet this season, however with their wealth of experience and their current habit of grinding out results, you'd bank on Declan Kidney's side breaking the mold.

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