6 Storylines to Follow in Heineken Cup Matchday 4 This Weekend

In the second week of back-to-back European fixtures, the Heineken Cup is again ready to take the spotlight this week, with the continental elite once more rallying their troops in the hopes of making it past the pool stage.

This weekend, we could see our first clubs qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, Leinster, Clermont Auvergne, Ulster and Munster all sitting particularly pretty in their respective groups.

Read on for a breakdown of some of the key storylines worth keeping an eye on, with the northern hemisphere's titans hoping to hold down their places in one of rugby's most prestigious battlegrounds.

1. Ospreys Flying the Heineken Cup Nest

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It's been an unfortunate Heineken Cup campaign for Steve Tandy's side so far, with Ospreys rooted to the bottom of Pool 1 and bringing the Welsh side their first point of the 2013/14 European tournament last weekend.

Should they feel to beat Castres on Friday evening without so much as a bonus point, Ospreys will find it mathematically impossible to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition.

Another win for the Top 14 outfit would see them rise to 12 points and further cement their place in the group, while a try bonus point as well would certainly bring about the end of Ospreys' trials.

The last time that the Liberty Stadium outfit made it past the pool stage came in the 2009/10 season, with Welsh sides not having a great deal of success internationally in recent seasons, but another early exit would undoubtedly heap further contempt upon the regions.

2. Connacht Seeking a Historic Double

Last weekend brought about an earth-shattering shock as Connacht's traveling support were left feeling full after watching their side triumph at Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Toulouse's home implosion meant that the Irish province dragged themselves to within a point of the Pool 3 leaders, further tightening up matters in the group.

With that win, the promise of advancing in the Heineken Cup now looks all the more realistic and a double over the Top 14 giants awaits as a possibility this week.

Kieran Marmion's sole try was the foundation for the turnaround in France last week, but Toulouse will be all too aware of the threat that Pat Lam's men possess this time around, a key Saturday fixture looming.

3. Key Celtic Clash at Scotstoun

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Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny's kicking exploits paved the way for a well-deserved Cardiff Blues win against Glasgow Warriors last week, bringing the former up to second place in Pool 2.

However, a testing return trip to Scotstoun await on Friday night, with the Scottish hosts hoping to draw level, or even leapfrog their Celtic foes if a maximum points victory can be obtained.

Pool 2 is one of the tightest of all groups across the board right now, with just five points separating first and fourth place. The Warriors need at least four points to revive any hope of advancing.

The pair have been far from prominent outfits in Europe in recent years, but they will feel this season to be a prime opportunity to turn that record around. Exeter Chiefs and Toulon are both daunting opponents on their day, but far from unbeatable, too.

4. Ireland's Giants Look to Cement Their Stature

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This season's European season has seen Ireland's representatives go about their business in clinical fashion with three of the four provinces topping their pool as we head into the fourth matchday.

Leinster are clear at the summit of Pool 1 by a massive five points while Ulster and Munster are each separated from their closest competition by two points apiece.

Should Leinster seal another win against Northampton Saints on Saturday, it would assure Matt O'Connor's side of a place in the last eight, while Ulster have a chance at another bonus-point party against Treviso.

Munster and Connacht have slightly more difficult challenges on their hands with the trips to Perpignan and Toulouse, respectively, but it's fair to say this campaign has been good to the Irish this far, and they won't be eager to see that ride end anytime soon.

5. Wingers on Watch

Last weekend's helping of Heineken Cup festivities was an especially strong occasion for the wingers as Leicester's Miles Benjamin, Montpellier's Pierre Berard and Keith Earls of Munster each ran in two tries apiece, albeit one of the latter's being ruled out after a TMO decision.

Not to mention Leinster's emphatic win at Franklin's Gardens witnessed a hat-trick of scores from Luke Fitzgerald, capping off a triumphant week for the wide men, doing what they do best.

With a replica of those same fixtures on this week, one would like to hope for an identically strong attacking round, although it's unfortunate that rugby often doesn't work that way.

That being said, the European elite of wingers will be hoping to grease their mitts with some more try input this weekend, with neutral fans and spectators looking to see the same.

6. England's Bastions Facing Make-or-Break Meetings

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Last season, three of the eight Heineken Cup's quarterfinalists came from the Aviva Premiership, promoting a magnificent level of English rugby for the period.

However, England's outfits haven't looked quite as confident this year, with France and Ireland dominating the top spots in all six pools as things stand.

Northampton face European giants Leinster, Exeter Chiefs make the journey to reigning champions Toulon and Leicester Tigers head to Montpellier, all praying to improve their standings in the order.

Meanwhile Saracens, Harlequins and Gloucester each face their own trials against Zebre, Racing Metro and Edinburgh, respectively, each with a chance at taking first place in their groups should other results go in their favour.

While two matches remain after this weekend, now is the time when the European calendar really starts heating up, and it's now that some of England's flag bearers will sink or swim.