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Heineken Cup-The ones to watch

  • 31-08-2010 9:25am
    #1
    Sulkinskimpy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭


    Who do we think are the big contenders for the 2010/2011 Heineken Cup??

    I would be a huge Munster Fan and back them to the last but Paul O'Connell could put a major dampner on proceedings-but that said I don't think we can rule them out-the fortress of Thomond Park has a reputation to withstand after all.

    Then we've to look at Leinster-a side that have done their homework and like it or not many a time recently shown Munster how it should be done.

    But should we be looking outside Ireland yet again-are the French are biggest challenge for the year again?

    what do ye all think??


Comments

  • #2
    Ciaran-Irl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 910 ✭✭✭Ciaran-Irl


    Sulkinskimpy wrote: »
    Who do we think are the big contenders for the 2010/2011 Heineken Cup??

    I would be a huge Munster Fan and back them to the last but Paul O'Connell could put a major dampner on proceedings-but that said I don't think we can rule them out-the fortress of Thomond Park has a reputation to withstand after all.

    Then we've to look at Leinster-a side that have done their homework and like it or not many a time recently shown Munster how it should be done.

    But should we be looking outside Ireland yet again-are the French are biggest challenge for the year again?

    what do ye all think??

    I've put a few quid on Clermont myself. They have never won the HEC before, but they never prioritized it because they had never won the bouclier, despite making a 12 consecutive finals.

    Now that they are Top 14 champions, they will look to tick the HEC box once and for all. They have strengthened this year with Sione Lauaki adding to a formidable back row. I don't expect Leinster to get out of the pool, sadly, and I expect Clermont to go on and win it.


  • #3
    tolosenc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    Leicester, Toulouse, Toulon, Clermont, Ospreys.

    I don't reckon there'll be a major showing by any of the Irish teams.


  • #4
    Sulkinskimpy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭Sulkinskimpy


    tolosenc wrote: »
    Leicester, Toulouse, Toulon, Clermont, Ospreys.

    I don't reckon there'll be a major showing by any of the Irish teams.

    I agree with you, Leicester are a side you can never rule out!

    Those French teams are top class but with the French championship they never give it their full attention. I wouldn't min seeing one french team in the final but two like that time in Landsdowne Road lacked a bit of intensity and off your seat kind of action.

    I still think Munster will get out of their group but beyond that it's hard to tell.

    Leinster with a bit of gust should have the experience to squeeze out a best second place and get out of their group but their progression after that has to be considered doubtful


  • #5
    smurphy29
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 872 ✭✭✭smurphy29


    Ospreys are worth a punt - they're in a tough group but I expect this to be the year Munster finally exit at the group stages.

    I just get the feeling they finally arrived as a team in the last quarter of last season - they were fiercely unlucky to lose to Biarritz, but it might have been their Stoop moment. Their wins in Thomond Park and the RDS showed a new steel to their side as well as the array of skills you'd expect from so talented a side. Their Magners win should be a launchpad to finally deliver in the Heineken.


  • #6
    Ciaran-Irl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 910 ✭✭✭Ciaran-Irl


    Sulkinskimpy wrote: »
    I agree with you, Leicester are a side you can never rule out!

    Those French teams are top class but with the French championship they never give it their full attention. I wouldn't min seeing one french team in the final but two like that time in Landsdowne Road lacked a bit of intensity and off your seat kind of action.

    I still think Munster will get out of their group but beyond that it's hard to tell.

    Leinster with a bit of gust should have the experience to squeeze out a best second place and get out of their group but their progression after that has to be considered doubtful

    Munster have a slightly easier group than Leinster, but I don't think either will get out of the group. Two teams are never going to come out of groups that difficult. Is is always the soft groups with Italians etc that get two teams into the semis.


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  • #7
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    At best I think one Irish province will make at least the semis this year. I'm certain it will be the worst Irish showing in the comp for a long time.

    Munster and Leinster have horrendous groups (and Munster's old brigade are in terminal decline).

    While Ulster's group (Biarritz, Bath and Aironi) looks decent in comparison, Bath have recruited some big names in the summer and Aironi's pack looks really useful.

    I predicted Toulon as dark horses but after seeing their defeat to Racing at the weekend I'm not so sure now. I don't think they will score many tries.

    It will be one of Toulouse, Clermont, Leicester or Ospreys to win it IMO.


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