So only one week of the Celtic League gone and already there have been calls for its abolition. Certain respected journalists have claimed it's a fudge with none of the competing teams from the three countries giving it their all.

Perhaps the side Cardiff fielded against Connacht last week could have been a little stronger but elsewhere most teams, for their own various reasons, seem to be talking it seriously - despite the fact that there is no tangible on-field incentive to do so - such as European qualification.

Certainly the Irish provinces seem to be taking things seriously. Leinster started in emphatic fashion last Friday night and will be looking to rattle Llanelli when they visit Stradey on Friday night. Matt Williams has the luxury of making five changes - and still not including Lions Brian O'Driscoll or Malcolm O'Kelly in the starting line up. O'Kelly will warm the bench while O'Driscoll is being held back for the big clash with Ulster next weekend. Llanelli never really got into top gear while comfortably defeating Ebbw Vale - and will bolster their squad with the return of Stephen Jones who will captain in the continued absence of Scott Quinnell and new signing second row Luke Goss.

Ulster will also be looking to build on a good first round win when they travel to Glasgow. Tyrone Howe and Jeremy Davidson make their first starts of the season, although Springbok Robbie Brink will be missing after damaging his shoulder against Swansea. They travel to a Glasgow side who are always strong at home - and could produce a minor upset if their top quality front row of David Hilton Gordon Bulloch and Cameron Blades can produce the platform up front.
Last week's other group A winners Pontypridd should make it two from two when they go to Ebbw Vale, despite the absence of Paul John and possibly Sonny Parker, who jarred his neck in the win at Bridgend. Ponty also include the competitions most wonderfully named player in their squad - Shalom Lomme Senara is named as replacement prop!

Two teams hoping to put bad starts behind them are Swansea and Bridgend. The All Whites still seem to have more players in the treatment room than on the training pitch with Scott Gibbs the latest to be ruled out for a few weeks with a disc problem. Springbok Japie Mulder is rumoured to be on the St Helen's hit list as cover for Gibbs and Mark Taylor who will not be back until the new year.

In Group B Cardiff continue to make the headlines - last week it was who they didn't play - now it's who is in their team. Greg Kacalda returns to the side only months after having his contract ended as the club tries to compensate for the continued absence of Martyn Williams. There is also debut for 20-year-old New Zealander, Andrew Henry, a student at UWIC who is included on the wing - yes you are right it is Graham's son.

Connacht have been forced to make changes from the side which won in Cardiff last weekend - with injuries depriving Steph Nel's side of wing Wayne Munn and Paul Neville. The visitors Edinburgh, who look to have pulled of Scottish rugby's biggest ever coup by signing Todd Blackadder for next season have left out test fly half Duncan Hodge in favour of Gordom Ross. Iain Fairly moves into the starting line-up as scrum half to replace injured captain Graeme Burns. Coach Ian Rankin has explained that Hodge has not been dropped - and will be used at some stage in the game "The utilisation of benches is a major part of your team selection and game management."

With Munster enjoying a rest week the final game sees Newport make their competition debut against Caerphilly. While new signing Joost van der Westhuizen completes his South African career against New Zealand on Saturday his team mates will be expecting a solid start against Caerphilly.