Heineken Cup preview: Round Two
Europe’s premier rugby competition made a triumphant return last weekend with 12 action packed matches across the continent. And before the tournament takes a two months break, there’s more excitement to look forward to over the next three days.
Among the weekend’s standout fixtures is Saracens v Leinster in Pool 2. In order to keep their Heineken Cup dream alive, the Sarries must look to seal maximum points against the 2009 European champions at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, there’s all all-French affair in the group’s other match between Racing Metro and Clermont Auvergne in Colombes. After Clermont’s impressive win over Saracens last weekend, the Top 14 champions are expected to record their second consecutive victory against their compatriots.
On Sunday afternoon in Pool 4, there’s an intriguing battle between last season’s finalists Biarritz and 1999 winners Ulster. Both teams kick-started the new campaign with wins last weekend, although Biarritz lead after picking up a bonus-point against Aironi, and it’s the French club who could prevail again, as they bid to go one step further this season. However, Bath have every reason to believe they stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds following their narrowest of defeats against Biarritz last Sunday. A win against Aironi this Saturday is now imperative, though.
Over in Pool 6, London Wasps will be looking to bounce back against Glasgow Warriors at Adams Park. The Aviva Premiership side were rather unfortunate to lose to European champions Toulouse on the opening weekend and escaped with a losing bonus-point. Their Scottish opponents already have a win under their belt after beating Newport Gwent Dragons, who face the daunting prospect of taking on Toulouse on Saturday evening in Wales.
Toulon are another of the French clubs currently going well after the first weekend’s action. Jonny Wilkinson and co edged past Ospreys last Saturday and now prepare to face the mighty Munster at Thomond Park. In what promises to be one of this year’s tightest groups, Premiership and Pool 3 leaders London Irish will take on Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, knowing that another win will be crucial to keeping the momentum going.
Although it’s the Exiles who currently lead the way in England, Leicester Tigers will be breathing down their necks before too long despite a below-part start to the season. They’ve already started well in Europe after overcoming a tricky away tie against Benetton Treviso in Pool 5 last Saturday, and face Scarlets at Welford Road this weekend. The Magners League outfit recorded an eye-catching 43-34 victory against Perpignan in the opening round of matches and won’t be overawed by Leicester. Perpignan, meanwhile, will need to beat Benetton to keep the pressure up on the pool leaders.
Another English side hoping to seal back-to-back Heineken Cup wins this weekend are Pool 1’s Northampton Saints. Edinburgh host the Premiership side at Murrayfield, and after their narrow defeat against Cardiff Blues, may well be confident of springing a surprise on their home ground. The Saints beat Castres last week, although not by the margin many were predicting, and the French side will again aim to give a good account of themselves against Cardiff Blues tonight.
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