The Heineken Cup is likely to return to France for the first time since 2005, according to the bookmakers.
Europe's most prestigious club rugby competition gets underway on Friday when Perpignan host Treviso and holders Munster entertain Montauban.
The remaining fixtures in the opening round of pool games take place on Saturday and Sunday, and the bookies are likely to be watching the performances of Toulouse and Stade Francais closely.
Coral is offering 5/4 on a French club lifting the trophy in the spring, while Boylesports makes last season's beaten finalists Toulouse 9/2 favourites to go one better this time round.
Stade Francais are also well fancied and are available at 6/1 to win the tournament with most betting firms.
Munster and Leinster can be backed at 7/1 and 10/1 respectively with VC Bet, while Skybet offers 7/2 on an Irish victory.
The odds for an English triumph are shorter at 9/4, but the inconsistent starts to the season made by Leicester Tigers, Gloucester, London Wasps and Bath means they can all be backed at 14/1 or longer.
The Heineken Cup is likely to return to France for the first time since 2005, according to the bookmakers.