IT'S a huge week for Welsh rugby with the start of the Heineken Cup and it's vital leading clubs here make an impression.

The Celtic League has been rubbished in the wake of Saturday's surprisingly easy victory by Scotland over Ireland.

The four Irish provinces had carried all before them in the Celtic League, even little Connacht qualifying for the quarter-finals.

On that basis Ireland were expected to beat Scotland comfortably then follow up against Wales to set up a Grand Slam showdown against England.

It didn't work out that way and it has been suggested the group of Scottish players involved in English and French rugby make all the difference - Gregor Townsend, Scott Murray Budge Pountney Tom Smith and John Leslie.

In other words, the Zurich Premiership and French League are far harder than the Celtic League.

Considering the Irish teams have far outplayed their Welsh counterparts, it can be realised just what a task our teams face in Europe.

For the second season running Newport are in a terrible group with Newcastle, Toulouse and Leinster.

They start with a trip to Newcastle, where the English cup holders rarely lose, with Jonny Wilkinson calling the shots and kicking everything on the bleak ground.

Llanelli face an even worse trip to Leicester, Heineken Cup holders and English champions.

But they do have an Italian team in their group, and if they can overcome Perpignan could well go through as one of the two best runners-up.

Cardiff are in the same pool as Welsh/Scottish League leaders Glasgow Montferrand and Northampton, another really hard group.

Swansea must take on Biarritz, strengthened even further by ace Australian wing Joe Roff, Bath and Edinburgh.

And injury hit Bridgend's introduction to the competition is to face mighty Munster, Castres and Harlequins. Not much hope there.

Welsh performances in the Celtic League have been disappointing, only Newport, Neath and Llanelli through to the last eight where all have away draws.

Somehow they have to regroup, put in a hard week and throw everything in if reputations are to remain remotely intact.

Wales coach Graham Henry will be looking for form guides for next month's Ireland game and for the November internationals which follow.

Speculation about Henry's future exploded into life at the weekend, though goodness knows why. He was always going back to New Zealand after the 2003 World Cup, so nothing new there, and speculation that New Zealand were after him to replace Wayne Smith has proved untrue.

He can't qualify to coach his home country unless he returns and coaches a provincial side for 12 months.

Nevertheless, one suspects Henry is disillusioned by his time in Wales, no doubt feeling he is banging his head against a wall, unable to get the structure he wants, unable to reduce the number of top clubs (thank goodness) and unable to restrict the number of appearances by top players.

Books are coming out aplenty, all of them having a go at Henry, whether with the Lions or Wales.

A book which should make fascinating reading is the one Henry writes when he finally does go home.