This weekend sees the return of Europe’s premier club competition as the 13th Heineken Cup kicks-off at Ravenhill on Friday night with Ulster’s home game against Gloucester.

The tournament has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1995 and competition organisers, ERC, are hoping for another record breaking event this year. Already the make-up of the pool stages has caused great argument and controversy with many of the potential winners being grouped together. Michael Cheika’s Leinster have been handed the unenviable task of tackling three-time champions Toulouse, two-time winners and reigning English Champions Leicester and Scotland’s strongest side Edinburgh rugby. Given the fact that Leinster have struggled to compete with the stronger sides in this competition over the years, many pundits are tipping them not to qualify from this almost impossible pool.

Tougher draw

As fate would have it, arch-rivals Munster have been dealt an even tougher blow. Defending champions Wasps, along with inform French side Clermont Auvergne and old friends Llanelli Scarlets make up the group of death in this year’s competition. If Ireland felt hard done by in the recent World Cup group stages, their task was miniscule when compared to Munster’s plight this season. Wasps have proven their European pedigree over the past five seasons winning the tournament twice, including last season’s all English clash against Leicester Tigers.

Their foundation lies in a sterling defence, marshalled expertly by their coach Shaun Edwards. Edwards, a former rugby league star with Wigan and Great Britain, revolutionised the game of union when he teamed up with Warren Gatland at the start of the decade. Along with the help of the inspirational Lawrence Dallaglio, these two figures more than any have epitomised Wasps’ style of play over the last number of years.

Clermont Auvergne, beaten finalists in the French 14 last season, are being tipped as the surprise package in this season’s competition.

They are a typically brutish Gallic side, with a gargantuan pack and exciting flair out-wide. Recent high profile signings, such as South African captain John Smit, have boosted the profile of the club but on-field success must now follow.

Stade Marcel Michelin is no place for the faint-hearted, with the home crowd providing a vociferous welcoming and an intimidating atmosphere. A victory on French soil would put any of the other three sides in pole position. However that’s easier said than done.

Last and by no means least, the Llanelli Scarlets make up the quartet. Declan Kidney will be well aware of the threat provided by Messrs Alix Popham, Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones. Last season Munster were dumped out the competition unceremoniously at Stradey Park in the quarter-finals. The Scarlets are similar in style to the Welsh national side, but far more effective.

Munster’s chances

So what are Munster’s chances? Very little, if you examine the strength and quality of the opposition in question. Given the recent disastrous form of some of the province’s main strike players, hopes are running at an all-time low.

The chances of escaping the group appear very limited and even the proud home record, which stood in place for twelve years, is no longer in tact.

However, Munster are at their strongest when their backs are to the wall and this competition will test them to the limit both mentally and physically. The fact that all four teams in this group are exceptionally strong means that every team will succeed in taking points off each other. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Kidney’s side are eager to repay both Wasps and Llanelli for elimination from this tournament in 2004 and 2007 respectively. If Munster can rebuild their impressive home form and grind out just one away victory, then that should be enough to see them top the group.

Whichever side manages to escape the clutches of this pool will find themselves very firmly in the driving seat for the remainder of the tournament.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment