With all the Heineken Cup wrangling so prominent, it feels almost as if the tournament itself will be a mere background event this year. How’s about Ulster vs. Leicester on Friday night at Ravenhill to kick off proceedings? Sounds great, but first tell us about the latest cloak-and-dagger statement to come out from Ligue National de Rugby.
While the Celtalian provinces/regions/franchises don’t come to the negotiating table speciafically, being represented by their umbrella unions, they can do themselves a service by showing strongly and putting out a message to the English sides that they are worthy of being here, regardless of what rule changes may exclude them in the future.
Leinster, Munster and Ulster we know will be competitive – they always are. It’s time for a handful of Pro12 teams outside the Irish Big Three to show that Anglo-French perceptions of the Pro12 as a sort of joke tournament are wide of the mark.
First on that list has to be Glasgow, increasingly impressive in the Pro12 but seemingly unable to translate their form into wins against the more physically imposing sides in Europe. Last season they won just one pool game in a group with Ulster, Northampton and Castres, but finished third in the Pro12 and were deeply unfortunate not to beat Leinster in the semi-final. Spearheaded by the magnificent Josh Strauss at 8 and with great attacking players like Stuart Hogg and Sean Maitland in the backline, it’s high time they brought their A-game to the next level. A lot appears to hinge on which Ruaraidh Jackson shows up for them; more often than not it’s the patchy, flaky, indecisive one. With Exeter, Cardiff and Toulon in their pool, winning it outright looks difficult, but they should be targeting second place.
Another who can impose themselves in their pool are the fast-improving Treviso. The premier Italian franchise remain formidable at home, and racked up wins in the second half of last season’s league to finish a creditable 7th. Their season has been slow to start, but in beating Munster on Friday night they are up and running. They have signed Matt Berquist to play 10, and it could be a shrewd bit of business, as they have been crying out for a controlling fly-half. They’re in a pickle of a pool, with Ulster, Leicester and Montpellier, but two home wins is a realistic target. French sides can take a lackadaisical attitude to such games and are ripe for taking by surprise, and only last season, Leicester only beat Treviso through a somewhat dubious penalty try minutes from the end. Ulster have yet to hit their stride, and are eminently beatable if they have an off-day.
Ireland’s ‘fourth province’ Connacht have been a soft target for the likes of Stephen Jones, who has said they are not ‘elite’ whatever that means, but they have given a great account of themselves in the big league so far and are back again this year (thanks again to Leinster). Their group contains Saracens and Toulouse, as well as Zebre. Toulouse have been to the Sportsground before, and won comfortably, but they are ageing and dull these days. Connacht will be targeting that game in a big way, and a win would put out a huge signal of the Pro12’s strength.
Finally, what about the Welsh? As usual, the Ospreys are their best hope. For all the brickbats they receive, they usually make a big contribution to the tournament. Last year their 15-15 draw with Leicester was the best match of the season, but they have a habit of coming out on the losing side of thrilling games. They join Leinster, Saints and Castres in what should be a white knuckle-ride of a pool. Even if they don’t come out of the pool, their results may define it.
Ospreys: Several big names leaving this summer. Rebuild starts here, around home grown players such as Justin Tipuric and Kristian Philips.
Whiff of Cordite 