After nine fascinating rounds of Top 14 the French league now takes a fortnight's break as all eyes turn towards Europe, and more precisely the prestigious Heineken Cup.

Top 14 has certainly proved irresistible viewing so far this season and the break comes with just one point separating the first four teams, and only five between leaders Racing-Métro and ninth-placed Biarritz. Those stats alone amply illustrate the openness of this season's championship race and augur well for a close-run campaign that should be alive right to the death, so to speak.

The big-hitting trio of Clermont Auvergne, Perpignan and Stade Toulousain will, of course, all make it into the play-offs - although in which position remains to be seen - bat as with last year there are a couple of surprise runners in the leading pack. 

Heineken Cup Pools & Fixtures

In 2009/10 it was Castres who forced themselves into the play-off reckoning, and to a lesser extent Racing and Toulon. This season both Racing and Toulon have continued their good form - the latter after a sticky start - while it's Fabien Galthié's Montpellier who are currently proving the joker in the pack. They may have lost up in Paris at the weekend but Montpellier will now benefit from not playing in the Heineken Cup - they are in the Amlin Challenge Cup - with Galthié understandably resting stars such as Francois Trinh-Duc and Fulgence Ouedraogo to keep them refreshed for Top 14.

Top 14 League Table

Talking of refreshment, Montpellier are the only top six side which will not feature in this weekend's opening round of the Heineken Cup. Four-time winners Stade Toulousain and reigning French champions Clermont will rightly be considered the French teams most likely to progress through to next May's Cardiff final, but for me it is the entrance of Heineken debutants Toulon and Racing-Métro that intrigues most.

There is an uncanny similarity between the two teams, and not just in terms of their current good form which sees Racing in first spot and Toulon in joint second, just one point behind. Both will certainly enter Europe's premier competition in confident mood after impressive domestic results, but it is the make up and backing of the two clubs which is truly similar.

Both have risen to prominence in recent seasons due the potent combination of huge financial backing (Jacky Lorenzetti for Racing and Mourad Boudjellal for Toulon), well-respected head coaches (Pierre Berbizier and Philippe Saint-André) and ambitious player recruitment (Sébastien Chabal, Lionel Nallet, Francois Steyn, Juan-Martin Hernández and Benjamin Fall among others for Racing, Jonny Wilkinson, Juan-Sebastien Lobbe, Joe Van Niekerk, Pierre Mignoni, Felipe Contepomi and George Smith for Toulon).

Indeed, it was only three years ago that they were both fighting it out in ProD2 - France's second division - but now both are at the forefront of a French revolution in terms of backing and ambition.

Both clubs have also known dark days of under-achievement in the not-too-distant past - highlighted by the fact they will be making the Heineken Cup debuts at the weekend - so what impact can we expect them to make in this year's competition?

Firstly, it is imperative to look at their respective groups. Racing are in Pool 2 alongside former champions Leinster - who they visit on Saturday - French champions Clermont and England's South African franchise Saracens. 'Les Francilliens' will certainly do well to emerge in the top two from that group, but their ability to win on the road gives them an outside chance. Already this season they have triumphed at Toulon - a significant achievement - and at the weekend they earned a valuable defensive bonus at Stade Toulousain no less.

The formula to success in the Heineken group matches is a simple one in theory, although far more difficult to put in practice. Home games must be won at all cost, while trying to pick up defensive bonuses (at the least) from away games. Racing are well equipped on both counts, with potential match-winners throughout their squad, with a phalanx of international experience to back that up.

Chabal may have dipped in on-field performances during his final season at Sale, but his rejuvenation back in France has been awesome in its ferocity and the country's favourite rugby player will need no motivating to put in the hits against Leinster at the weekend. Racing will, however, be without injured duo Hernández and Fall, both of whom can turn a game on its head. Hernandez's absence will be covered by 25-year-old Jonathan Wisniewski, an unfamiliar name across the Channel but a player who was good enough to begin his career at Stade Toulousain and who has been in sparkling club form so far this season. Fall's absence is less easily covered, although at the weekend it meant Steyn playing at full-back and summer recruit Albert Vuli Vuli partnering Mirco Bergamasco on the wing. The former could well give way to Sireli Bobo at the weekend though, with the 34-year-old Fijian enjoying an excellent season to date with three tries from seven starts.

For me, Racing's crucial fixture will be their second, when they play host to Clermont Auvergne. If they can win that, and simultaneously deny 'Les Jaunards' a defensive bonus then they could be on for qualification.

Toulon, unlike Racing, make their HC debut at home, and will be hoping the infamous Stade Félix Mayol is at its most intimidating for the visit of the Ospreys on Saturday. The pre-match 'Pilou, Pilou' should let the Welsh outfit know exactly what sort of an afternoon they are in for, with the likes of Wilkinson, Lobbe and Van Niekerk sure to be pumped up to the max.

Owner Boudjellal has openly talked about his hopes for winning the prestigious tournament this season and it is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility. Wilkinson's rich form and worldly experience will ensure they keep the scoreboard ticking, while the club's superb back row is equal to anything in competition.

I would love Toulon to go through, not just because I have soft spot for the Cote d'Azur club, but also because I think their very presence in the knockout stages would be good for French rugby. There is a certain panache about Toulon these days, and the addition of players such as Carl Hayman, Rudi Wulf and Smith has only added to that. But they are not just about star names. The likes of English trio Kris Chesney, Joe El-Abd and Dean Schofield have added no-nonsense street-fighting qualities essential for European success, while former England winger Paul Sackey will surely find his feet soon after a difficult settling in period.

Whatever this weekend brings it will be fascinating to watch how Racing and Toulon fare. Here's hoping they lead yet another French assault on the trophy that Stade Toulousain won for a record fourth time last season. But more about them later in the week...