HEINEKEN HISTORY

So here we go, what could be the final season of the Heineken Cup ever. It’s rather sad isn’t it, to think that what is one of the standout competitions in rugby history could be finished at the end of the season without so much as a whimper. But it’s not gone yet, and we’ve got another season of European rugby to look forward to, and I've done a bit of a preview for you. Enjoy!

Pool One: Leinster Rugby, Northampton Saints, Ospreys, Castres Olympique

Oh what a pool this is. The RaboDirect Pro12 champions, the Top14 champions and the Aviva Premiership runners-up going head-to-head in a classic tussle. And hey, why not add in the Ospreys too? This pool is going to depend on how much Leinster miss Sexton and Nacewa. If Madigan and Kirchner can step up and fill the gap then they should have the pool under wraps, but if not then the Saints and the Ospreys will fancy their chances – especially with the Welsh side’s record in Dublin. I fancy Leinster to do it, however they will have to be wary as the Saints will pose them a lot of questions and the Ospreys can pull off results when they need to, especially at the Liberty. Sadly I think Castres will have to start well or they could simply throw it in the latter stages as per usual. Disappointing too – they are a quality side on their day.

Prediction: Leinster

Pool Two: RC Toulon, Cardiff Blues, Glasgow Warriors, Exeter Chiefs

Anybody who isn’t backing defending champions Toulon to come out of this pool with a perfect record is either deluded or should be in a mental asylum. As far as pools go, they could not have got much of an easier path to the quarter-finals and barring a miracle from one of the other sides, they probably have top seeds in the knockouts wrapped up as well. That leaves the other three fighting it out for second and if Glasgow can carry over their superb Pro12 form to the Heineken Cup then they could well take one of the best runner-up spots. Cardiff haven’t threatened much in Europe for a while so I think they’ll be out of the equation, but don’t rule out Exeter either. They ran both Leinster and Clermont quite close last season at Sandy Park for a while, so expect travelling sides to struggle, and maybe they can cause an upset.

Prediction: Toulon

Pool Three: Stade Toulousain, Saracens, Connacht Rugby, Zebre

It’s a two-horse race for top spot in this pool and both Toulouse and Saracens will fancy their chances. With twenty points (probably) racked up from the Connacht and Zebre games, it’s more than likely that both giants will reach the knockouts, but who finishes top is another question entirely. Saracens have started the season stronger so I’ll back them to finish top (just), but Toulouse will push them all the way. Meanwhile Connacht will probably hold off Zebre for third place, but boosted by their first Pro12 win, I can see the Italians getting a first European win too.

Prediction: Saracens to win pool, Toulouse to be one of the best runners-up

Pool Four: ASM Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins, Scarlets, Racing Metro 92

This is a tighter pool than a lot of people think. On paper you would presume that Clermont would be the easy winners here, but Harlequins didn’t go six from six last season for nothing, and the big-spending Racing will certainly have something to say about that too. However Clermont usually have enough power to see the pool through and the relative inexperience of the other two sides may haunt them in the big games. Harlequins may take one of the best runner-up spots but they will probably have to win away in France at least once. The Scarlets will have to front up big time to even get on the board this time around.

Prediction: Clermont

Pool Five: Ulster Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Montpellier Herault, Benetton Rugby Treviso

How could I predict anybody else to win the pool but Ulster? Even so, this will be a massive test for Ulster as they come up against the unmistakable might of Leicester and the upcoming brilliance of Montpellier, a side who have hammered Clermont 43-3, not an easy task at all. Nevertheless, I back Ulster to have the firepower to just sneak the pool. If Montpellier are lagging behind early on then they might throw the pool like Castres, but Leicester will fight to the death (always good to see!) and will push the Ulstermen all the way. It could boil down to who can take their bonus points from Treviso in the end.

Prediction: Ulster to win the pool, Leicester to be one of the best runners-up

Pool Six: Munster Rugby, USA Perpignan, Edinburgh Rugby, Gloucester Rugby

How Ulster wish they could have got this pool and not Munster. If Munster do not go through as pool winners here then they are in big big trouble because this is pretty much as easy as you get. Perpignan are one of the easier French sides in the competition this year, Edinburgh are on a complete decline and Gloucester are yet to return to the lofty heights they were at. In essence, Munster will easily reach the quarter-finals, and will only be stopped from being top knockout seeds by Toulon. Perpignan will have the “French factor” on their side to finish second, while Gloucester should have the muscle to oust Edinburgh into third. But really, this pool is more about who can limit Munster to the least points, than who can qualify.

Prediction: Munster

Ruan is an Ulsterman

Thank heavens that he did not sign for Toulon, and thank heavens that he is staying at Ulster until 2017!

I’d say I was always confident he’d stay, but I’d be lying! Nevertheless it is absolutely incredible news for Ulster, especially with the current Heineken Cup debate going on, and what a boost it will provide the Ulstermen with ahead of their biggest game of the season so far. And to be honest, I don’t think I could be happier right now!

Stand up for the Ulstermen, and stand up for Ruan Pienaar!