Heineken Cup: Round One Preview

By Brendan Cole

Having all four provinces in the Heineken Cup is a remarkable achievement. The record of the Irish provinces in recent years should also give some satisfaction to all involved.

Leinster and Munster have won two trophies each since the 2005/6 season, Ulster enjoyed a renaissance last year and reached a quarter-final, and Connacht are set to make their debut in the competition.

However, when looked at individually, it is clear each of the four teams has a fight on their hands to continue moving forward.

Leinster were as well tested as any champion team last year, coming through a formidably difficult pool before beating Leicester and Toulouse in the knockout stages.

But the impact of the announcement on Monday that they will defend the title without Brian O’Driscoll cannot be underestimated.

It has become fashionable to focus on the ‘intangibles’ the 32-year-old brings – and not unlike the man ahead of him in the international caps table George Gregan, it almost appears as though some people are simply bored that he is still there.

Leinster will miss O'Driscoll and Hines

O’Driscoll’s on-field impact from play to play has been superb for Leinster and Ireland. Leinster will miss the leadership, but they will miss his ability to make things happen on the field even more. The loss of second-row strongman Nathan Hines will also be keenly felt.

The positive for Leinster is that their pool is relatively easy this time and could yield a high seeding, which would put them on track for the semi-final.

An away win against an out of form Montpellier side struggling to cope in the Top 14 would be the ideal start and they look well equipped to secure that on Saturday.

But if they are to defend the Cup in the absence of O’Driscoll and Hines, the pressure is on top young players like Richardt Strauss, Sean O’Brien and Jonathan Sexton to step up another level again.

Munster in transition

Munster have also lost a champion player to serious injury with David Wallace unavailable. As has been pointed out, his absence means they will go into a Heineken Cup game without Wallace, Alan Quinlan or Anthony Foley in the 22 for the first time ever when they take on Northampton on Saturday.

Bringing through the right young players and possibly managing the exit of some big personalities is the major challenge for Tony McGahan. John Hayes looks set to do his bit in a supporting role.

Donncha O’Callaghan’s position within the team is a good example. The challenge is to allow O’Callaghan to compete to win his place back without making a circus out of the situation.

There is young blood coming through, and Peter O’Mahoney has already shown signs that he could be a serious player for Munster in future. But the current crop has yet to show it can match the ball carrying and breakdown exploits of the old guard.
If the form of the back row is uncertain, the situation in the backs is closer to crisis.

Liefiemi Mafi’s form is good and Doug Howlett can also be expected to produce another season of class and quality on one wing. But Munster have lost Felix Jones and Keith Earls to injury, and looked stretched even when they were fit.

Ronan O’Gara is as good as ever but the lack of firepower outside, and the fact scrum-half is not settled could hamper him. Conor Murray has the jersey and brings some good qualities, but Tomás O’Leary looked more likely to spark the team in his brief spell on the field against Leinster.

Scrum power gives team platform to improve

The one positive is that the old weakness – scrummaging – has finally become a strength with BJ Botha and Wian Du Preez in the propping positions - and that could fire the whole team to a better level. Paul O’Connell’s return to form after his long absence has also been very impressive.

But the lack of a centre capable of crossing the gainline consistently, and a group of back-rows capable that can dominate at the breakdown, means the Pool they have landed in – Northampton, Castres and Scarlets – is tricky.

A win against Northampton on Saturday is absolutely essential and with the English side having reached the final last year and done well in their own league so far this year, it will be no easy task.

The new found scrum power, along with O’Gara’s ability to get the best out of tight situations may just help them deliver.

Northern Lights

Ulster have perhaps the toughest task of all as their Pool sees them pitted against two rivals stronger than any they faced last year – including Northampton.

A good start on Saturday night against Clermont at Ravenhill is not out of the question, but the French club are apparently finally set to properly execute a Heineken Cup group stage campaign. The Pool looks like being a dogfight between Leicester and Clermont.

New Kids on the Block

Connacht will also have a difficult time of it against a Harlequins team that is flying under Conor O’Shea. The Westerners crack relatively quickly under pressure and Quins’ efficiency, with Nick Evans ticking everything over from out-half, means a difficult start to the campaign is in prospect.

But the pride and attitude Connacht will bring to the fixture should not be underestimated. It is their first Heineken Cup game, and even though Robbie Keane and co are in action in Tallinn, there will be a sense that the world is watching at The Sportsground.

They rarely disappoint in those circumstances.

HEINEKEN CUP PREDICTIONS:

Harlequins 20-9 Connacht (8pm Friday)
Montpellier 13-18 Leinster (2.30pm Saturday)
Munster 16-10 Northampton (6pm Saturday)
Ulster 10-17 Clermont (3.40pm Saturday)