Heineken Cup tournament preview

Heineken Cup tournament preview

Ccourtesy of planet rugby

 Pool One.

EDINBURGH
Coach: Michael Bradley
Captain: Greig Laidlaw
Best finish: Semi-finals in 2012
Key signing: WP Nel
Player to watch: David Denton
Pool odds: 7/1

MUNSTER
Director of rugby: Rob Penney
Captain: Doug Howlett
Best finish: Winners in 2006 and 2008
Key signing: Casey Laulala
Player to watch: Peter O'Mahony
Pool odds: 13/8

SARACENS
Director of rugby: Mark McCall
Captain: Steve Borthwick
Best finish: Semi-finals in 2008
Key signing: Chris Ashton
Player to watch: Schalk Brits
Pool odds: 13/8


RACING METRO
Coach: Pierre Berbizier
Captain: Jacques Cronje
Best finish: Pool stage in 2011 and 2012
Key signing: Olly Barkley
Player to watch: Benjamin Fall
Pool odds: 7/2
How we see it: On paper, Pool One is the toughest to call with any one of the four sides capable of progressing to the quarter-finals. Munster, Saracens and Edinburgh all made it into the last eight last season, with the latter surprising everyone by going one better and reaching the semis. But a top-eight repeat for the Scots will once again come as a shock, considering they're poor form in the Pro12 in which they've only managed just two wins thus far. Saracens, meanwhile, are fourth in the Premiership standings having suffered just one defeat and showed last time out they have enough nous to finish top. In previous years, Munster would normally start as favourites. However, the two-time champions are going through something of a transition and are not quite the force they were. Despite boasting a star-quality squad, Racing Metro had a disappointing campaign last season having lost all of their home games and celebrated one solitary win. Lessons will no doubt have been learned as the Parisians bid to cause an upset or two this time around.

Key fixture(s) in Pool: Edinburgh and Racing have the luxury of playing at home first up against Saracens and Munster respectively, but opening wins are far from guaranteed for the two hosts considering they were both defeated in their own backyard last weekend in the Pro12 and Top 14. An away win for Munster will be ideal with two home games to follow, whilst Saracens have the tricky task of playing three away games on the trot - though one of them is technically a home fixture away from home at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Bottom line is, an opening victory for any one of these teams could go a long way in helping them to a place in the quarters. But expect some drama along the way...

Prediction: 1 Saracens, 2 Munster, 3 Racing Metro, 4 Edinburgh

Pool Two 

TOULOUSE
Coach: Guy Noves
Captain: Thierry Dusautoir
Best finish: Winners 1996, 2003, 2005, 2010
Key signing: Yoann Huget
Player to watch: Edwin Maka
Pool odds: 4/5
LEICESTER
Director of rugby: Richard Cockerill
Captain: Geordan Murphy
Best finish: Winners in 2001 & 2002
Key signing: Vereniki Goneva
Player to watch: George Ford
Pool odds: 2/1
OSPREYS
Coach: Steve Tandy
Captain: Alun-Wyn Jones
Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2008, 2009 & 2010
Key signing: Jonathan Spratt
Player to watch: Justin Tipuric
Pool odds: 4/1
TREVISO
Coach: Franco Smith
Captain: Corniel Van Zyl
Best finish: Pool stages
Key signing: Doppies La Grange
Player to watch: Tommaso Benvenuti
Pool odds:: 100/1
How we see it: Never was the title "Pool of Death" a more apt title as multiple former European champions Leicester and Toulouse are joined by Pro12 champions Ospreys and giant slayers Treviso. Indeed, no one is guaranteed victory over Italy's best side, who have beaten Ospreys once already this year. Considering their track record in recent years, Toulouse are rightfully the bookies favourites to top the group although last year's upset loss in Edinburgh suggests they are no longer an unstoppable force. Tigers will be smarting from a disappointing campaign last term (they failed to advance from the pool stages) but have such a strong first-choice team they must still been seen as candidates for the title if they are spared injuries in key positions. Ospreys do not have a great record in Europe and after a shaky start to their Pro12 title defence, one wonders if they may have to choose where their priorities lie.
Key fixture(s) in Pool: Leicester visit Toulouse this weekend in a game that could set the tone for the rest of pool stage. The return fixture at Welford Road is the final game of the group and could be the decider. Leicester will probably need to win at the Liberty Stadium if they hope to top the group.
Prediction: 1 Toulouse 2 Leicester 3 Ospreys 4 Treviso

Pool Three
 
BIARRITZ
Director of rugby: Patrice Lagisquet
Captain: Imanol Harinordoquy
Best finish: Finalists in 2006 and 2010
Key signing: Aled Brew
Player to watch: Dimitri Yachvili
Pool odds: 10/11
HARLEQUINS
Director of rugby: Conor O'Shea
Captain: Chris Robshaw
Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2009
Key signing: Dave Ward
Player to watch: Nick Evans
Pool odds: 10/11
CONNACHT
Director of coaching:Eric Elwood
Captain: Gavin Duffy
Best finish: Pool stages in 2012
Key signing: Dan Parks
Player to watch: Mike McCarthy
Pool odds: 25/1
ZEBRE
Director of rugby: Roberto Manghi
Captain: Gonzalo Garcia
Best finish: Maiden campaign
Key signing: Daniel Halangahu
Player to watch: Mauro Bergamasco
Pool odds: 500/1
How we see it: Two-time finalists Biarritz and English champions Harlequins have probably be given the easiest draw of all and both will strongly fancy their chances of qualifying for the last eight, even if they don't win the group. Connacht surprised many by derailing Quins' campaign last year with a shock win at the Sportground but the Irish side will struggle to compete away from home. Heineken Cup debutants Zebre are the weakest team in the competition and the big guns will expect to pick up a full house of points against them.
Key fixture(s) in Pool: Biarritz have a strong pedigree in European competition and always seem to find an extra gear on the big ocassion. If Quins can beat the Basques on the opening weekend they'll set themselves up nicely for the rest of the campaign and might even be able to rest a few players for the return leg in January.
Prediction: 1 Harlequins, 2 Biarritz, 3 Connacht, 4 Zebre

Pool Four. 
 

NORTHAMPTON
Director of rugby: Jim Mallinder
Captain: Dylan Hartley
Best finish: Winners in 2000
Key signing: Dominic Waldouck
Player to watch: George Pisi
Pool odds: 5/4

ULSTER
Coach: Mark Anscombe
Captain: Johann Muller
Best finish: Winners in 1999
Key signing: Tommy Bowe
Player to watch: Ruan Pienaar
Pool odds: 6/4

CASTRES
Coaches: Laurent Labit/Laurent Travers
Captain: Matthias Rolland
Best finish: Semi-finalists in 2002
Key signing: Pedrie Wanneburg
Player to watch: Max Evans
Pool odds: 4/1

GLASGOW
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Alastair Kellock
Best finish: Quarter-final play-off in 1998
Key signing: Josh Strauss
Player to watch: Stuart Hogg
Pool odds: 12/1

How we see it: This pool features two teams (Ulster and Northampton) currently top of their respective leagues (Pro12 and the Premiership) and both are Heineken finalists in the last two seasons. In all, this intriguing pool - comprising English, Irish, Scottish and French clubs - is one of the toughest to call as the four sides are capable of producing big performances on their day. Ulster, unbeaten in the Pro12, are favoured to top the group but it remains to be seen how the Irish province cope with the favourite's tag as they look to go one better this time out after their impressive run to the Twickenham final last season. Northampton on the other hand, are hard to predict. The Saints marched to the 2010/11 final, but failed to make it past the pool stages the following season. The loss of England full-back Ben Foden will also be a massive blow. Castres, currently sixth in the Top 14, are always a formidable force on home soil whilst Glasgow have made a promising start to the domestic campaign and will deem their home form as integral to their hopes of reaching the last eight.

Key fixture(s) in Pool: Former Ulster flanker Pedrie Wanneburg returns to his old hunting ground with Castres in the opening hit-out of the pool, and will no doubt have passed some inside knowledge to his new French team. They'll definatelly need it as Castres have one of the worst away records in the tournament having won just won of their last 17 games on the road. The Ulstermen have won their last 11 games at home in the Heineken Cup, and will be determined to extend that impressive run to 12. The Saints won't want a repeat start to last season's opener (when they lost to a last-gasp Ronan O'Gara drop-goal), and will be banking on maximum points against Glasgow to kick-start their campaign. Diarise December 15 - the battle between Ulster and Northampton could prove decisive in who tops this group....

Prediction: 1 Ulster 2 Northampton 3 Castres 4 Glasgow

 Pool Five. 
 
LEINSTER
Coach: Joe Schmidt
Captain: Leo Cullen
Best finish: Winners in 2009, 2011 and 2012
Key signing: Quinn Roux
Player to watch: Rob Kearney
Pool odds: 8/11
CLERMONT
Coach: Vern Cotter
Captain: Aurelien Rougerie
Best finish:Semi-finals in 2012
Key signing: Napolioni Nalaga

Player to watch: Wesley Fofana
Pool odds:13/8
SCARLETS
Coach: Simon Easterby
Captain: Rob McCusker
Best finish: Semi-finalists in 2000, 2002 and 2007
Key signing: Tomas Vallejos
Player to watch: Jonathan Davies
Pool odds:9/1
EXETER
Director of rugby: Rob Baxter
Captain: Tommy Hayes
Best finish: Maiden campaign
Key signing: Dean Mumm
Player to watch: Tom Johnson
Pool odds: 20/1
How we see it: Once again, title contenders Leinster and Clermont themselves lumped together in very tough pool. It's fourth successive Heineken tournament they meet either at the pool or knockout stages. We've seen some epic battles between the blues and yellows over the years - including a nail-biting semi-final last April - and this season should be no different as former Clermont boss Joe Schmidt attempts to mastermind a remarkable fourth Heineken Cup title in five years for the Irish giants, who are the bookmakers' favourites to retain their crown. Scarlets, aren't looking bad either, as illustrated by their 45-20 win over a second-string Leinster side on the opening day of the Pro12 season. Tournament debutants Exeter could bruise an ego or two on home soil but probably don't have the depth to compete on two front and are likely to focus their attention on the Premiership by they time we reach the latter rounds.
Key fixture(s) in Pool: The back-to-back fixtures between Leinster and Clermont in Rounds Three and Four are likely to decide who finishes top. Since the French side have not lost at home, in any competition, in three years a victory in the Auvergne will be a major achivement, so les Jaunards' visit to Dublin on December 15 is set to be humdinger. If Clermont can't pick up any points in the Irish capital, the could find themselves under prressure for their trip to Parc y Scarlets on the last day.
Prediction: 1 Leinster, 2 Clermont, 3 Scarlets, 4 Exeter
Pete says...this is the most interesting group of them all, with any of these teams potential winners.

Pool Six.
TOULON
Director of rugby: Bernard Laporte
Captain: Joe van Niekerk
Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2011
Key signing: Andrew Sheridan
Player to watch: Matt Giteau
Pool odds: 4/11
CARDIFF BLUES
Director of rugby: Phil Davies
Captain: Andries Pretorius
Best finish: Finalists in 1996
Key signing: Jason Tovey
Player to watch: Jamie Roberts
Pool odds: 6/1
SALE
Coach: Bryan Redpath
Captain: David Seymour
Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2006
Key signing: Richie Gray
Player to watch: Rob Miller
Pool odds:12/1
MONTPELLIER
Coach: Fabien Galthie
Captain: Fulgence Ouedraogo
Best finish: Pool stage in 2012
Key signing: Shontayne Hape
Player to watch: Lucas Amorosino
Pool odds:6/1
How we see it: Looking at squad depth, form and star quality, there would be few disagreeing that Toulon are hot favourites to finish atop of this Pool. The likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau, Joe van Niekerk and Steffon Armitage stand out while any team who has Gethin Jenkins and Carl Hayman sat on their bench must be pretty strong. Cardiff Blues have had a mixed start to their PRO12 campaign to say the least but on their day will be a match for anyone, with the major issue concerning them being the scrum. Things could be worse though for the Blues, as their English opponents Sale have yet to taste victory in 2012/13 in what has been a hugely disappointing opening to their season. Undoubtedly the Sharks will be thankful of this Heineken Cup distraction and a home game against Cardiff is massive for their hopes of qualification. Montpellier, led by Fulgence Ouedraogo and Francois Trinh-Duc, are the Pool's dark horses but cannot be underestimated - as Leinster found out last year - but it is unlikely they will sustain a consistent challenge.
Key fixture(s) in Pool:Round Two of the games in this Pool sees Cardiff Blues host Toulon while Sale travel to Montpellier. If the Blues earn a vital away win in the opening weekend at the Sharks then the fixture at the Arms Park is likely to play a big factor in the group shake-up. Montpellier will take points off teams at Stade Yves du Manoir but in all honesty we see Toulon as having the Pool wrapped up by the time the host Cardiff in Round Five.
Prediction: 1 Toulon, 2 Cardiff Blues, 3 Montpellier, 4 Sale