Neath-Swansea Ospreys boss Lyn Jones has tipped European champions Toulouse to reign supreme again in the Heineken Cup.
The French outfit will put their crown on the line next week when the northern hemisphere's top club competition gets underway on Friday.
And though Jones is predicting the strongest Welsh challenge for years, he believes the biggest threat will again come from across the Channel.
'Makes no bones about it, Toulouse are not the best team in Europe for nothing,' said Jones.
'They are a formidable team and I wouldn't be surprised if they were up there challenging again with the strength in depth they have got. You can never write them off.'
The Neath-Swansea side will face Toulouse twice in six days in January and need only to ask compatriots Newport how tough a task that will be after the Black and Ambers were thumped 70-19 in France.
'The one thing we will have going for us is that in Europe team have much less knowledge of the opposition's mentality,' said Jones.
'However you know that sides like Munster and Leinster are able to grind out results while all the English sides will be strong.
'I think Wales stand a much better chance of success this season than before following the formation of regional sides and the performances at the World Cup. But I think it will be another season or two before we feel the full benefits of the changes that have taken place.'
The Ospreys are drawn in Pool 2 with Leeds Tykes, Edinburgh Rugby and Toulouse. Their first match is away to Leeds on Sunday.
