Donal Lenihan talks shock announcements and match predictions on the eve of Heineken Cup Round Six crunch games
Captaincy decision will not impact on O’Driscoll’s chances of making the Lions
Despite the excitement surrounding the Heineken Cup this weekend it is impossible to ignore the significance of Declan Kidney’s decision select Jamie Heaslip ahead of Brian O’Driscoll for the Ireland captaincy. Former Ireland and Lions manager Donal Lenihan – currently ranked #3 in the Heineken Star Predictor Pro League – shared his thoughts on the O’Driscoll decision and his predictions on the eve of this weekend’s Heineken Cup Round Six.
[Quotes from Donal Lenihan, 18.01.12]
· I can understand the [O’Driscoll] decision fully. It’s the right time. We are two years out from a World Cup which Brian has already indicted he won’t be part of. When you consider this and his recent injury issues I can understand why the decision was made.
· This [decision] will have no impact on his chances of making the Lions. Brian doesn’t need another five games as Irish captain to prove anything to anyone. In fact this now gives him time to concentrate and work towards Australia.
· With Best out, O’Connell out and the longer-term World Cup campaign in mind…. then Heaslip is the right decision.
In true testament to the nail-biting nature of the Heineken Cup, the final weekend of pool matches dawns with much still at stake. There has been a collective scratching of heads amongst rugby fans across Europe as they examine the permutations of this weekend’s matches and prepare to make their predictions with Heineken Star Predictor, the online match prediction game. With both Leinster and Munster chasing runner-up spots and Ulster attempting to secure a home quarter final by winning in France for the first time, there is much for the Irish teams to play for.
· We will all be watching Montpellier versus Toulon. This is the key fixture when Irish teams are concerned. Thankfully there is no love lost between the sides so we can hope that Toulon send a strong side and go for the win.
· There has been a clear indication from the French teams this year that the Heineken Cup is a priority for them. In fairness, if Toulouse win, the French could have four of the eight quarter finalists. With all the recent posturing over revamping the Heineken Cup, the English and the French have certainly been putting their best foot forward all year.
· When it comes to scoring tries, Leinster are in a better place compared with Munster. They have one less try on their account but the guys [Kearney, Fitzgerald, O’Driscoll] that have come back into the Leinster set-up in the past two weeks have made a big difference from a confidence point of view. Munster looked like a team trying to force it last week.
· If I was a betting man I would say Leinster will qualify over Munster….
· Ulster have been in the Heineken Cup since the outset and they still haven’t won in France. That is quite a remarkable statistic. With that the element of doubt creeps in; they also have lots of injuries. However, I fancy Ulster to break that duck this time out.
Donal is currently playing Heineken Star Predictor, the online match prediction game. He sits in third place behind George Hook and former All-Ireland winner Jason Sherlock in the Pro League and 44th overall. Play Heineken Star Predictor for your chance to win match tickets and a VIP package for the Heineken Cup final in May. Log on to www.heineken.ie/heinekencup and register by 5.00pm Friday 18th January.
