Jim Mallinder backs English clubs to succeed
Northampton Saints director Jim Mallinder is backing English clubs to do well in this season's Heineken Cup.
Northampton was the only team to reach the last eight of the competition last season before losing 33-19 to Munster. Mallinder says there is a lot of quality at English clubs this year, with many teams
having a chance of winning the competition.
The Heineken Cup is one of the biggest domestic club rugby competitions in the whole world. Mallinder suggests it will not be difficult for Premiership sides to translate from the English game to the European
game.
There are many English clubs with quality and strength that should guarantee success in the Heineken Cup. However, there are some very experienced and strong sides from other countries too.
Strong English clubs
Mallinder's own club Northampton has been playing the most explosive rugby in the Premiership this season. The 31-10 win over Bath showed the side can buckle down and produce an impressive win against
another big side.
Bath will have a lot to prove this season. The club brought in a lot of experience over the summer with the likes of Lewis Moody and Sam Vesty arriving from Leicester. These players are experienced and
effective on the European stage.
Leicester will feel as if they are in with a shot at winning in Europe. Richard Cockerill is arguably the best coach in England. His preparation methods are second to none and he will want a European crown
to back up the club's recent domestic success.
"There's general disappointment at how the English clubs did last season. But you look at the teams in the Cup this season, and most of them are doing well in the Premiership. We have to step up now,"
said Mallinder.
The other sides
It's important to consider the quality of other sides in the Heineken Cup to assess the real chance an English club has of winning. There are very experienced clubs in Europe like Ospreys and Munster all
over the rest of the United Kingdom.
The French sides in the competition have also done very well in recent years. French sides move the ball much faster than in the Premiership, which is difficult to defend against. The current holders Toulouse
will be fighting very hard to retain their title.
The Italian clubs in the Heineken Cup must not be disregarded. The likes of Aironi is not considered a favourite but the club has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Italian teams always take an aggressive
and determined approach into European games.
"The challenges are still there for the English sides. With our salary cap, it will be difficult. The top French sides have unbelievable squads. If you look at those names on paper, they have got real
strength. We have to be smarter, but I’m not complaining. It’s a challenge. Wasps and Leicester have proved that when you’re playing well and you’ve got a settled, competitive team, you take a lot of beating," added Mallinder.
Betting advice
It's too early to back any English team to win confidently in the Heineken Cup. The best approach is to wait until the first round of opening matches has been played. This will make it easier to see who
is in form and who is going to be a genuine contender for success in Europe.
There are players from all over the Premiership that could top score in Europe this season. Olly Barkley at Bath and Toby Flood at Leicester are two examples of players who kick a lot of points in any
game. Don't be afraid to back either.
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