The HC is back, and this season has a limited edition, final tour feel to it. Catch it before they sell out and break up!As is my habit now, I go through the pools and make risible guesses on the eventual 8 that make it out of this stage.
Group 1 has Castres Leinster, Northampton and the Ospreys. Castres are near the bottom of the T14, while Saints are no 2 in the premiership. It’s not a bad group for Leinster – no easy games for them, but it could be a lot worse! I’m going to be completely biased and say Leinster will top the group – and start off with an away win at the Ospreys. With all their internationals back, both sides have handy squads, but I’m going with Leinster’s experience. Hope BOD makes his recovery in time.
Group 2 has the Cardiff Blues, Exeter , Glasgow Warriors and Toulon. In this pool I’m going with mmm, Car…Toulon of course, and I think Glasgow will come good and get a runners up spot here.
Group 3 is Connacht , Saracens, Toulouse and Zebre. Saracens top the AP, while Toulouse are 3rd in the T14, but tied first on points. I’m going with Toulouse because of their squad size. Connacht have Saracens this weekend, who will be totally underestimating them, so I’m going with a close win for Saracens.
Group 4 is Clermont Auvergne, Harlequins, Racing Metro Paris, and Scarlets. Clermont are 5th RM are 8th, it was Clermont’s season last year…until they blew it, but I’m sure Cotter wants to notch this up on his CV so Clermont it is., with RM getting a runners up spot.
Group 5 is Treviso, Leicester Tigers, Montpellier, and Ulster. Tigers are 3rd in the AP and Montpellier 2nd in the T14. Likely to be between Ulster and Tigers as Montpellier have always been fecking terrible in Europe. And I think of all the Irish teams this is Ulster’s year, with Pienaar back they should do the business against the Tigers this weekend, and end top of the group.
Group 6 is Edinburg, Gloucester, Munster and Perpignan. Gloucester are 10th in the AP, and Perpignan 6th. Really, if Munster don’t top this they are going to have to play really badly indeed! They should get things with a comfortable win against Edinburgh.
Heineken Cup
Friday , October 11
Toulouse vs Zebre
Connacht vs Saracens
Ulster vs Leicester
Saturday , October 12
Castres vs Northampton 15:40
Ospreys vs Leinster 18:00
Harlequins vs Scarlets 15:40
Benetton Treviso vs Montpellier 13:35
Edinburgh vs Munster 13:35
Gloucester vs Perpignan 18:00
Sunday , October 13
Exeter vs Cardiff Blues 12:45
Toulon vs Glasgow 15:00
Racing Metro 92 vs Clermont Auvergne 20:00
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