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The Magners League is contested by the top regional sides in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Leinster are the reigning champions.
This is the last season where the title will be decided between the 10 teams on a straight points basis - from season 2009/10 there will be play-offs.
Here is BBC Sport's quick guide to the teams.
CARDIFF BLUES
Ground: Arms Park
Coach: David Young
Captain: Paul Tito
Last season: 2nd
In: Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Richard Mustoe (Ospreys), Aled Brew (Ospreys), Darren Allinson (development contract)
Out: Nick Macleod (Sale), Robert Sidoli (Bristol), James Goode (Manawatu), Duane Goodfield (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Marc Stcherbina (Dragons), Danny Wilson (London Welsh)
CONNACHT
Ground: Galway Sportsground
Coach: Michael Bradley
Captain: John Muldoon
Last season: 10th
In: Niva Ta'auso (Counties Manukau), Frank Murphy (Leicester), Fionn Carr (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Leinster), Kieran Campbell (Ulster)
Out: None
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS
Ground: Rodney Parade
Coach: Paul Turner
Captain: Tom Wills
Last season: 9th
In: Shaun Connor (Ospreys), Duane Goodfield (Blues), Tal Selley (Ospreys), Hoani MacDonald (Highlanders), Tom Willis (Waikato, NZ), Marc Stcherbina (Blues), James Arlidge, Grant Webb
Out: Michael Owen (Saracens), Ceri Sweeney (Blues), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Aled Thomas (London Welsh), Peter Sidoli (Calvisano), Paul Emerick (Beziers), Alex Walker (London Welsh - loan)
EDINBURGH
Ground: Murrayfield
Coach: Andy Robinson
Captain: Mike Blair
Last season: 4th
In: Chris Paterson (Gloucester), Bruce McNeil (National Academy and Heriot's), Jim Thompson (National Academy and Heriot's), Steve Turnbull (National Academy and Heriot's), Fraser McKenzie (National Academy and Heriot's), Marc Teague (Heriot's), Fraser McKenzie (National Academy and Heriot's), Kyle Traynor (National Academy and Watsonians), Sean Crombie (National Academy and Boroughmuir), Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers).
Out: Craig Smith (Racing Club Metro, France), Augusto Allori (Treviso), Ali Warnock (Doncaster), Andrew Maxwell (retired)
GLASGOW WARRIORS
Ground: Firhill Arena
Coach: Sean Lineen
Captain: Al Kellock
Last season: 5th
In: Tim Barker (Castres), Mark McMillan (Wasps), Calum Forrester (GHA and National Academy), Jon Welsh (GHA), Richie Gray (Stirling County and National Academy), Chris Kinloch (Edinburgh Accies and National Academy), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Hawks and National Academy)
Out: Scott Barrow (Leeds Carnegie), Michael Collins (released), Daryl Gibson (Crusaders - Asst Coach), Donnie Macfadyen (retired), Andy Newman (Grenoble), Chris O'Young (Western Force), Sean Marsden (Exeter), Ben Prescott (Rotherham)
LEINSTER
Ground: Donnybrook and RDS Arena
Coach: Michael Cheika
Captain: Leo Cullen
Last season: 1st
In: Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (Cheetahs), Isa Nacewa (Blues)
Out: Cillian Willis (Ulster), Keith Gleeson (retired), Fionn Carr (Connacht), Ian Keatley (Connacht)
MUNSTER
Ground: Musgrave Park
Coach: Tony McGahan
Captain: Paul O'Connell
Last season: 3rd
In: Justin Melck (Western Stormers), Mike Prendergast (Gloucester)
Out: None
OSPREYS
Ground: Liberty Stadium
Coach: Sean Holley
Captain: Ryan Jones
Last season: 7th
In: Hale T-Pole (Highlanders), Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
Out: Stefan Terblanche (Natal Sharks), Brent Cockbain (Sale), Richie Pugh (released), Martin Roberts (Scarlets), Shaun Connor (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Barry Williams (retired), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Aled Brew (Blues), Mark Taylor (retired), Mike Powell (London Welsh), Lyn Jones (mutual consent), Huw Bevan, Kevin Hopkins, Hale T-Pole (released), Justin Marshall (Montpellier)
LLANELLI SCARLETS
Ground: Stradey Park
Coach: Nigel Davies
Captain: Simon Easterby
Last season: 6th
In: Mahonri Schwalger, Simon Maling (Suntory), Sililo Martens (Sale), Rob Higgitt (Bristol), Martin Roberts (Ospreys), David Lyons (NSW Waratahs), Kees Meeuws (Castres), Gareth Jenkins
Out: Dwayne Peel (Sale), James Hayter, Ian Jones, Daniel George, Alec Jenkins, Rhys Williams, Rhys O Williams (all released), Alix Popham (Brive), Matthew Watkins (Gloucester), Ben Broster (Northampton), Garan Evans (retiring, new Scarlets team manager), Bruce Douglas (Montpellier), James Hayter (Esher), Adam Eustace (Gloucester), Liam Davies (Brive), Robert Jones, Wayne Proctor
ULSTER
Ground: Ravenhill
Coach: Matt Williams
Captain: Rory Best
Last season: 9th
In: Ed O'Donoghue, Clinton Schifcofske (both Queensland Reds), Cillian Willis (Leinster), Robbie Diack, Timoci Nagusa, BJ Botha (Natal Sharks)
Out: Justin Harrison (Bath), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), David Humpreys, Neil Best, Roger Wilson (both Northampton), Mark Bartholomeusz and Kieran Campbell (Connacht).
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