It's a new beginning in so many ways.
Crowds are going to be back into the stadium. This competition, with 16 teams there are going to be less games in it so therefore there won’t be clashes with, for example, the Six Nations championship.
You would hope, as a consequence you will see all the star players. Eventually, when the likes of the South Africans come back from the Rugby Championship, down in Australia at the moment, they’ll all be fielding strong sides.
The four Irish provinces are in one pool in terms of qualification for the Heineken Cup. There will be implications there.
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But in the shorter term, Leinster always come in to this competition as favourites. They have owned the tournament.
I think there will be a lot more competition, which will be good for them from a European perspective.
Munster, there are huge expectations on them. I think they are really hoping their giant South African second row RG Snyman will be back in form soon. He got injured in his very first game for Munster. Joey Carbery is also back fit now, that’s a huge bonus.
Ulster are absolutely thrilled with their late signing. Nobody saw World Cup winner Duane Vermeulen, South Africa’s No 8, joining them. He’s a massive boost for them.
Connacht's home form has been excellent and if they can improve their away form, I would expect they would look to make a quarter-final.
It’s going to be tougher but I think it will be really exciting for the fans, who have been starved of live rugby over the past two years. I'm really looking forward to it.
Having it back on terrestrial television, we’re delighted to have it back.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
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