It’s a pool where Ulster will need to live up to their billing as top seeds, writes Kristian Ross…
Seems almost yesterday I was previewing the Heineken Cup pool stages for the 2012/13 season. After a disappointing end to their campaign in April, here's who Ulster Rugby will face next season...
HEINEKEN CUP POOL 5
LEICESTER TIGERS :
Despite the mauling of the Tigers in the last meeting between the side at Ravenhill, (a huge 41-7 victory) Ulster may have wanted to avoid a team such a Leicester this time around. Currently coached by Richard Cockerill, the Tigers finished 3rd in the Aviva Premiership but due to the playoff system (either love it or loath it), they ended up being crowned English champions at Twickenham for a record tenth time. Not to mention that they've played in every Heineken Cup since the inception of the tournament, the Tigers will be the toughest nut to crack both in Belfast and at Welford Road
MONTPELLIER HERAULT :
Montpellier aren't one of the biggest names in French rugby, having never won the Top14 themselves, but did make it to the quarter finals of the domestic completion in the latest season finishing in a respectable 5th place. The Ulstermen will be wary when taking on the French side at Stade Yves-du-Manoi, but will more feel more confident this season round after finally claiming a first win ever on French territory over Castres Olympique this year. However they'll be no pushover, and with new signing JP Du Plessis and Nicola Mas arriving and adding the a squad list that already includes Francois Trinch Duc, they could prove trouble.
BENETTON TREVISO :
The most familiar of the three opponents comes in the form Benetton Treviso. The PRO12 side have been impressive against Ulster in the past though, holding the Ulstermen to a draw in the latest season in the league campaign, as well as beating Ulster in the season previous to become the first Italian team ever to win on Irish soil. Treviso are establishing themselves more and more as unit as every season passes and may be very hard to break down on their own patch. But should Ulster play to their maximum strength, they could win both fixtures against the team from Veneto.
So looking at it overall despite Ulster's seeding they've still got a tough group. All three opponents will be hard to beat, but the pool is certainly winnable should Ulster produce some good performances. The key games may be the away fixtures, pick up points at Welford Road against the Tigers and against Montpellier and Ulster could well be laughing. Mark Anscombe and his side didn't do themselves justice last season in the competition following defeat from Saracens in the quarter final stages this year and they'll be looking to go surely one step further at least when the new campaign starts.
And on a final note, roll on the new season and SUFTUM.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
