Three-time champions Toulouse will compete with Munster, surely the sweethearts of the European championships, in this year‘s Heineken Cup final. And no teams bar the powerful English glamour sides have had such success in the competition.

The pride of France and Ireland have between them contested no fewer than seven Euro finals. The simple statistically reality is that these are not the two best-performing clubs in the Northern Hemisphere - it is their ability to win the close games and perform on the grandest stage that has brought them to this point.

Munster, full of Irish internationals and coached by likely incoming Ireland coach Declan Kidney, bring a balanced game plan remarkably similar to the Canterbury Crusaders. They have a simple but effective approach – based around a strong pack and incisive counter-attack, and above all the ability to absorb pressure. They rely heavily on the boot of Ronan O’Gara, but this is due to percentage play rather than inadequacies tactically.

'The quality of the European domestic teams is now at its highest level ever'

Toulouse, the French glamour club, are quite possibly the most complete team in the Northern domestic scene – but do not bring an overwhelming strength to the field, more a near lack of weaknesses. If there is such a weakness, it is the reliance on their esteemed half-back combination of Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde and Byron Kelleher. Furthermore, the Frenchman is traditionally a No.9 – but this has not been capitalised on by the opposition. Guy Noves, the red-and-black coach, knows his craft, with a solid squad built around French internationals including former national captain Fabien Pelous. Their simple power is that they know how to win Heineken Cups.

They may not be the finest club in 2008, but their nous has brought them through to this point. They have not thumped teams en-route to the final, but the inexperience of some of Europe’s elite outfits has let them down. Premier Welsh club Ospreys were beaten by Saracens but should have figured more prominently. A team that essentially equates to the Welsh Grand Slam-winning side, they have been impressive in the last few years, dominating the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Magners league. Their form was a factor for Wales’s Six Nations success.

Outside of Toulouse, French clubs ASM Clermont Auvergne and Perpignan have been dominant both at European and Top 14 level. ASM have claimed the scalps of both Munster and Toulouse this season, and have benefited from having Springbok John Smit in their ranks. Perpignan have been one of the scrummaging powers of domestic rugby, and consolidate the power of the French sides.