Qualification for the Heineken Cup Knockout stages is never easy but Irish provinces will all face tough tasks to emerge from their groups next season after the draw was made in Cardiff today.
Twice champions, Munster will be out to top Pool two despite the presence of the star studded Toulon outfit, making their maiden voyage in Europe's premier club competition. Magners League champions, Neath-Swansea Osprey's will also be hell-bent on qualification in a group which provides no respite, with London Irish also in contention.
2009 winners Leinster will have it even tougher, with two French clubs in Pool two thanks to Paris outfit, Racing Metro, the seventh side from the Top 14 in this years tournament. Champions of France, Clermont Auvergne, who were dumped out by Leinster in this years quarter final, will be out for revenge. While Guinness Premiership runners-up Saracens make this the group of death.
Ulster however, will be quietly confident of advancing from Pool four, the presence of newly formed Italian club Aioni Rugby should give potential for bonus points and as long as they can replicate performances from the fortress of Ravenhill on visits to Heineken cup finalists Biarritz and 1998 winners, Bath.
Elsewhere, defending champions Toulouse, will be happy with a draw which will see London Wasps as their toughest hurdle with Newport Gwent dragons and Glasgow Warriors the other unlucky sides to be drawn in Pool 6 with the champions.
The draw in full
Pool 1
Cardiff Blues
Northampton Saints
Edinburgh
Castres Olympique
Pool 2
Leinster
Clermont Auvergne
Saracens
Racing Metro
Pool 3
Munster
Neath Swansea Ospreys
London Irish
Rugby Club Toulon
Pool 4
Biarritz Olympique
Bath
Ulster
Aioni Rugby
Pool 5
Leicester Tigers
Llanelli Scarlets
Perpignan
Benetton Treviso
Pool 6
Stade Toulousain
London Wasps
Glasgow Warriors
Newport Gwent Dragons
No comments:
Post a Comment