Rugby League legend Ellery Hanley has thrown down the gauntlet to Bath's Premiership flops as they prepare for a daunting Heineken Cup opener against Biarritz on Saturday.

Hanley, who quit Clive Woodward's England set-up earlier this week after rejecting a contract offer from the Rugby Football Union, will continue working with Jon Callard and the Bath coaching team.

And he believes that a star-studded Bath squad - boosted by the likely return of England star Mike Catt - must start producing the goods.

The 1998 European champions currently prop up the Premiership following four successive defeats, and now find themselves tackling a Biarritz side in blistering form.

They've already beaten French Championship rivals Stade Francais and Toulouse this season, while in wings Philippe Bernat-Salles and Joe Roff, Biarritz boast the Heineken Cup's biggest try-scoring threat.

"We have all experienced knock-backs at sometime in our lives, and now it is up to the players to show their strength and determination to overcome failure and get Bath back to winning ways," Hanley said.

"The problem is not what Jon (Callard) is doing, or not doing, that has led to Bath's results this season. The onus is now on the players to become accountable for results on the field.

"The players have got it all laid out for them at Bath, and the only thing that Jon is not doing is actually putting his boots on, going out on the pitch and doing it all for them out there."

Despite Hanley's rallying cry, Bath look unlikely to launch their European campaign in winning style, therefore placing huge importance on Saturday week's pool three appointment with Swansea at the Recreation Ground.

Swansea kick off against Edinburgh on Saturday, when they parade Samoan wing Brian Lima for the first time since signing him on a two-year contract.

Harlequins, back in the Heineken Cup following their European Shield success last term, visit tournament debutants Bridgend on Saturday night.

Bridgend, whose wealthy backer Leighton Samuel has bank-rolled the arrival of Welsh internationals Dafydd James, Gareth Thomas and Nathan Budgett, face a tough task alongside pool four rivals Quins, Munster and Castres.

But James, third on the all-time Heineken Cup try chart with 17 for his previous clubs Pontypridd and Llanelli, still believes they can make an impact.

"There is no reason why we cannot qualify for the knockout stages," said James, a Test Lion in Australia this summer.

"We've made a topsy-turvy start to the season, and not to qualify for the Celtic League knockout stages was a huge disappointment, but we have the talent to turn it all around.

"There are big expectations from the supporters, and we will be going flat out to give them something to cheer about."

Quins include injury-prone England and Lions centre Will Greenwood in their match-day squad for the first time this season.

Munster, 7/1 third favourites to lift the trophy, entertain Gregor Townsend's Castres, with prop John Hayes and flanker Alan Quinlan both sidelined through injury.

Newcastle, who join Bridgend and Calvisano as Heineken Cup newcomers, host pool six opponents Newport, while 500/1 outsiders Calvisano travel to Perpignan in pool one and pool two dark horses Ulster visit Treviso.

There is one game on Sunday, another pool two clash between Wasps and last season's beaten finalists Stade Francais at Loftus Road.