Heineken Cup - English trio in QF action NEWS
The biggest competition in club rugby returns with the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup this weekend and with three English teams, Leicester, Saracens and Harlequins still involved there's plenty of interest this side of the Channel.
Although England may have choked in the final game of the Six Nations, their Grand Slam hopes being smashed apart by a rampant Wales in Cardiff, English rugby can put all that behind it if the three clubs still in the Heineken Cup can push on and make it through to the semi-finals.
However, it won't be easy for any of Harlequins, Saracens and Leicester.
With three teams in the forthcoming quarter-finals French rugby has an opportunity to remind everyone why they are regarded as one of the pre-eminent rugby countries in the world, something that wasn't evident in their appalling Six Nations campaign.
Although the absence of recent European powerhouses Toulouse and Leinster offers hope to the English trio they are still formidable obstacles to be negotiated if any of them are to become European champions.
Leicester face the most arduous task of the English clubs with a trip to the French naval town of Toulon, home of Rugby's equivalent of Real Madrid's football 'Galacticos'. Toulon, top of the French domestic league, are packed with international stars, courtesy of the lack of a salary cap and the deep pockets of the club's owner Mourad Boudjellal. Jonny Wilkinson still runs the show from his fly-half spot and he's supported by other England players, Steffon and Delon Armitage, Simon Shaw and Andrew Sheridan, as well as former Springboks Bakkies Botha, Dannie Roussow and Joe van Niekerk, Wales' Gethin Jenkins, former All Black Carl Hayman, Matt Giteau and Rockie Elsom from Australia as well as current French stars Freddie Michalak and Mathieu Bastareaud.
Overcoming that lot is a job-and-a-half for Leicester but they, and their indomitable team spirit, should never be under-estimated. The Tigers are not short of a star or two of their own with Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Marco Castrogiavanni, Geoff Parling, Tom Croft, Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Matthew Tait and, of course, Manu Tuilagi. The England contingent, fresh from their Six Nations disappointment, will be desperate to show that they are worthy of consideration for a place on this Summer's British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and the same goes for the British players in the Saracens and Harlequins squads.
Toulon lead the Top-14 and would dearly love to win a double, although Clermont share the same ambition. As they will be kept apart in the semi-finals, should they progress to that stage of course, a possible clash between them would make for a hugely interesting final in Dublin.
Although Saracens and Harlequins, the other two English participants, have home advantage, which history shows is a huge statistical boost in qualification, they face tough matches against experienced and battle-hardened Irish opponents, Ulster and Munster.
Saracens were well-fancied at this stage last season only to fall apart against Leinster. They currently lead the Aviva Premiership and have recognised quality in all phases. Fly-half Owen Farrell is growing as a game manager and his kicking is usually immaculate. Former England captain Steve Borthwick rules the roost in the line-out and Mako Vunipola is an emerging explosive force in the scrum and loose.
Harlequins may have fallen off the pace domestically but they'll be looking to rediscover some semblance of their best form, the sort of form that saw them win all six of the pool matches. They are well lead by England captain, Chris Robshaw, a carrying and tackling machine, whilst fly-half Nick Evans marshalls the backs and kicks his goals. Their opponents, Ulster, have won more away Heineken Cup quarter-finals than any other team and they have great experience throughout their team.
The scene is set for a fantastic weekend of rugby - the best weekend of rugby according to some. The pitches are starting to harden, the sun is beginning to make an appearance and, with international commitments not a consideration for the moment, the players can concentrate solely on club success.
Each quarter-final looks like a classic in the making and here's our preview of the weekend's games: -
Saturday 6 April
Clermont Auvergne v Montpellier - 3.40pm ko at the Marcel Michelin Stadium. An all-French affair that sees Clermont, who are currently second in the Top-14 league host Montpellier who lie in sixth. Clermont are pushing hard for a league (they trail Toulon by just two points) and Heineken Cup double whilst Montpellier are not yet regarded as one of France's consistently good teams, despite their current league position. Montpellier managed to make the quarter-finals by virtue of their pool defeat of Toulon but subsequent to that match they were destroyed by the same opponents and their squad lacks start status. Clermont are more than merely excellent at home, they're virtually unbeatable having won 58 straight games at the Marcel Michelin Stadium. They have a mighty pack and great skill in the three-quarters with the likes of Fofana, Rougerie and Sivivatu. They should win comfortably, although Montpellier will obviously disagree. Clermont didn't lose a pool game, beating Leinster home and away in the process, and I can't see them losing here.
Saracens v Ulster - 6.30pm ko at Twickenham. Saracens decided to move this fixture to Twickenham from their home ground of Allianz Park in the expectation of a huge crowd and a bigger pay-day. One hopes that they will not rue the decision to put money before true home advantage and a better chance of making it through to the semi-finals. With Lions places still up for grabs there will be a battle-royal at outside half with England's Owen Farrell pitting his wits against Ireland's Paddy Jackson. The Saracens pack is dynamic with the likes of Schalk Brits, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Steve Borthwick and Kelly Brown good at the set-piece and in the loose. Behind the scrum they also have a wealth of talent with aspiring Lions Farrell, Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton, David Strettle and Alex Goode. Ulster, as becomes a former Heineken Cup winner, also feature plenty of international stars such as probable Lions hooker Rory Best, John Afoa, Johann Muller, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry and in the backs Ruan Pienaar, Jackson, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy. With two teams so full of quality a fine match is expected and, even with the diluted home advantage of a Twickenham venue, I expect Sarries to come through to meet the winners of Toulon and Leicester.
Sunday 7 April
Harlequins v Munster - 2pm ko at the Stoop. The second England v Ireland quarter-final sees the reigning Aviva Premiership champions, who are playing in their first Heineken Cup quarter-final, take on the two-time Heineken Cup winners, for whom this is their 14th match at this stage of the competition. The teams look evenly matched with two good packs, Harlequins being led by England captain Chris Robshaw and Munster featuring the might and muscle of Ireland locks Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell. Each team has an excellent goal kicker in the shape of Ronan O'Gara and Nick Evans, but with an increasingly visible intent to attack on the part of Harlequins the game is unlikely to come down to a duel of the boot. Neither team is in the best of form coming into this game, but they'll no doubt raise their game several notches on Sunday. Despite Munster's experience I fancy the 'Quins to use home advantage to the full, and ride Robshaw's leadership and passion to the semi-finals.
Toulon v Leicester - 4.30pm ko at the Felix Mayol Stadium. Leicester face a tough trip to the French Top-14 league leaders who are orchestrated by former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson who, amazingly, claims his game is still developing. Toulon really could field two XV's of full internationals and perhaps the most difficult aspect for coach Bernard Laporte is selection, ensuring the right balance and partnerships take the field. Leicester will also face a hostile environment, but coach Richard Cockerill knows his team are ready for the challenge and has labelled the Toulon squad as 'rock-stars' as a means of motivating his own players. Leicester warmed up for this game with an emphatic 38-6 thumping of neighbours Northampton and they look to be peaking just at the right time. However, Toulon appear that bit too powerful for Leicester, particularly when home advantage is factored in - the Tigers have lost their last six visits to France. It all points to a massive battle but with Toulon coming out on top.
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