Heineken Cup review: Round Two
Leicester Tigers were the only club to seal a second consecutive bonus-point victory at the weekend, to edge one step closer to the knockout rounds of this season’s Heineken Cup.
The Aviva Premiership champions fell behind against Welsh opponents Scarlets when Morgan Stoddart put the visitors ahead, but Leicester responded brilliantly and crossed the line six times to record an impressive 46-10 victory at Welford Road. Thanks to that resounding win, the Tigers lead Pool 5, while Perpignan move into second place after beating Benetton Treviso, 35-14, at Stade Aimé Giral.
It’s eight years since Leicester last lifted European club rugby’s biggest prize, but on the evidence of their first two matches, they could well be a force to be reckoned with.
The tournament’s trophy holders, Toulouse, also maintained their 100% winning record against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade. The hosts produced a spirited performance, but were eventually undone by the revered attacking prowess of the four-time European champions. London Wasps move into second place in Pool 6, two points behind the group leaders, after securing a vital 38-26 win over Glasgow Warriors at Adams Park.
Meanwhile, last season’s Heineken Cup finalists, Biarritz, once again showcased their credentials as potential champions with a 35-15 win against 1999 champions, Ulster. The Top 14 club also sealed a bonus point to move to the top of Pool 4. In the pool’s other match, Bath were rarely troubled by Italian side Aironi at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella. The Premiership club won 22-6, to move into second place in the group, while Aironi remain rock bottom.
Another of the English sides currently going great guns in the Heineken Cup are Northampton Saints, who edged past Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Saturday. The Scottish outfit were leading at the break after an impressive display in the opening 40 minutes, but the Saints fought back in the second half to take the points in a 31-27 win. Elsewhere, it could have been a much worse for fellow Pool 1 rivals, Cardiff Blues, who lost against Castres in France. The visitors claimed a crucial late losing bonus-point to go level on points with Castres in second place.
Despite the weekend being rather profitable for the English contingent, it was another disappointing round of matches for Saracens. A 25-23 home defeat against group leaders, Leinster, leaves the Sarries bottom of Pool 2 and staring down the barrel. Meanwhile, the all-French clash between Racing Metro and Clermont Auvergne provided a surprise as the hosts managed to beat Clermont, 16-9.
The Heineken Cup’s tightest group, and one which looks set to go right to the wire, is Pool 3. Munster bounced back from their opening weekend against London Irish, with a stunning 45-18 victory over Toulon, to ascend to the top of the pack. But the Exiles were unable to record back-to-back wins after losing 27-16 to Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, and slip to third in the group as a result.
A two month break will now take place as the various domestic leagues resume and international competition gets underway, before the return of the most lucrative and prestigious competition in club rugby.
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