All four Irish provinces have fellow Pro12 clubs in their Heineken Cup pools…good job Liam Sinclair is on the case!
We’re feeling a bit sore here at the association of Non-Irish Pro12 teams after round 1 of the Heineken Cup having emerged with the Ospreys recording our only victory. That came at the expense of their Italian brethren which only sharpens the pain. A tough round of fixtures is ahead and the feeling here is that it will get worse before it gets better. We’ll not wallow too much though, ever onwards and upwards.
Challenge Cup
I Cavilieri Prato v London Welsh; A baptism of fire in European competition for Welsh against fallen/sleeping giants Stade Francais. Never great to ship 68 points and definitely not in your own back yard. The joyful thing about the second tier is that redemption is never far away and a trip to a domestic Italian team should be just the medicine. Welsh will get a good win here, cricket score.
London Irish v Mont De Marsan; Started off well. This competition is not top of the agenda for the exiles but I think they recognise that momentum will be good for them when domestic action restarts. French teams aren’t great travellers and, again, this competition offers little appeal. Irish for the win.
Dragons v Bayonne; A not unexpected defeat follows The Dragons into the match against Bayonne. Decent sides but the match still doesn’t really get the blood pumping. The French team are top after one round and will likely be more motivated. Slightly. Not great viewing with Bayonne to scrape victory.
Heineken Cup
Glasgow; The Warriors came flying out if the traps against the Premiership pace setters scoring 15 points with no reply. It all went horribly, horribly wrong though. Northampton accepted the proffered gauntlet and responded with gusto. Twenty four points and four tries later the Premiership leaders were swaggering off with five well-earned points. Glasgow went home with nothing. Ulster, still atop the crest of their wave, will visit next weekend and will be happy to run at the Glasgow defence. Glasgow have scores in them as well and this is a tight one. Not the most scientific of reasoning but I do think Ulster are due a loss. Glasgow by three or four.
Treviso; A tough start for the Trevisans. Insult to injury when The ‘Spreys secured a BP with the last play of the match. Still struggling at this level it’s going to be a long season for the Italians. Roll out the red carpet time in Treviso, the aristocracy are coming to town. It still doesn’t get much bigger than the men from Toulouse and an appearance from Guy Noves’ men is always a treat for the backwater clubs. They’re in for another bruiser here as Treviso will throw everything at them but expect Toulouse to do just enough as they’ve done so often in the past.
Scarlets; It bears repeating; Clermont do not lose at home. A good start from Scarlets came to an abrupt end with the sending off of Stoddart just before half time. From then on it became a matter of how much Clermont would win by as they clicked into gear and punished the winger’s ill-discipline. Another group where a few teams fancy themselves this will have hurt the Scarlets. This will affect morale and force a rethink. Despite the many positives this team possess I don’t think battle on two fronts is in them and I feel they will take their eye off the ball in Europe. Leinster come calling with a point to prove after the opening day shellacking and I think the Welsh team are ripe for the taking. Not a hammering but I think Scarlets will lose this.
Zebre; It could, perhaps should, have been worse for the team from Parma. Connacht at home was widely regarded as their best chance of getting a win in Europe this season and the chance easily passed them by. Connacht were guilty of profligacy during the course of the match which, from Zebre’s point of view, is an alarming exclamation point for the end of any review. Definitely out of their depth at this level of competition they will provide an ideal slump buster for out of sorts Biarritz. Expect the Basques to fill their boots.
Edinburgh; Last season’s semi-final appearance was fresh in the memory of Edinburgh’s fans before the weekend but was cast deep into history by a rampant Sarries team. Opening at home when a group is expected to be tight is where a marker should be laid down and Edinburgh would have targeted the win here. Instead they head to Thomond Park having conceded a BP without so much as a whimper in protest. The set piece was always going to be a difference maker in this fixture and the English side dominated leading to what should be regarded as an embarrassing defeat for the Scots. A win is essential this weekend for Edinburgh to have any hope of reaching the knockouts. No easy task. Munster know not to slip up at home and they will see this game out. Edinburgh have a chance of a BP here but no more.
Cardiff; I am mystified by Cardiff’s defeat at the weekend. Probably not as much as Alex Cuthbert but not far off. At this level teams that can’t protect a 12 point half time lead will have trouble making themselves heard when it gets time to send people home. That counts double against opposition struggling so badly for form (I hope they’re not prioritising Europe?).This represents a missed opportunity for the Welsh team, one they may rue come qualification time. Next up is a visit from the mega rich but, seemingly, mega serious Toulon. Strong from front to back they represent a big threat for a cowed team. If Warburton fails to make this match they don’t stand a chance and even with him it’s a big ask. This is Toulon’s to lose and if they get into the swing early it could be another hammering.
Ospreys; Job done against Treviso second time of asking. When you start such a tough pool campaign at home against the weakest team in the group a BP is almost essential. Job done, momentum possible, bring on the Tigers. A trip to Welford Road is never an easy prospect and takes on almost ominous tones when the hosts are in need of a pride restoration. That said I don’t think this will be a one sided affair and the eight point head start for the Ospreys offered by Paddy Power is very tempting. I think the match will be a close one. Kickable penalties will be the aim on both sides and the final score could come down to whether Flood or Biggar can keep the scoreboard ticking. Leicester to win but I think Osprey’s will finish this round of matches on a healthy six points.
A tough week for sure. If I’m dead wrong it will bring light to my heart. We’ll see.
Liam Sinclair (@liam_bs) – Guesses, generalisations and clichés.
