The first weekend was full of close matches and surprise results. This is going to be a great year…
Here is my review of the first round and predictions for the key matches this weekend.
This week I take a look at three Irish fly halves who put in huge performances for their respective teams.
Munster 23-21 Northampton
Ronan O’Gara’s game winning drop goal, deep into injury time and after 40 phases of Munster attack, will long be remembered as one of the Heineken Cup‘s greatest moments. As will Michael Corcoran’s commentary! Follow Michael on Twitter – @MichaelC_RTE
Montpellier 16-16 Leinster
Johnny Sexton cooly slotted a last gasp penalty for the Champions away to Montpellier. A sign of true Champions is having the ability to get a result without firing on all cylinders. Leinster are making no secret about their intentions to defend and keep their Heineken Cup. This draw against the French side may prove vital in the final analysis. Montpellier is a very tough place to get a result.
Ulster 16-11 Clermont Auvergne
Ulster’s Ian Humphreys scored all of his side’s points against French side, Clermont Auvergne in Ravenhill. Surely Humphreys’ performance did not go unnoticed by Ireland Coach, Declan Kidney. Ireland are blessed to have Sexton and O’Gara battle it out for the starting No. 10 jersey, but three is better than two and Humphreys must enter the equation.
LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Leicester V Ulster – Promises to be a great battle in Welford Road on Saturday. Ulster fly half, Ian Humphreys will is undoubtedly looking forward to revisiting his old club, Tigers back row will look to unsettle Humphreys from early on.
Biarritz V Saracens – French side Biarritz need a victory on home soil following their defeat to the Ospreys last week. The return leg of this game was due to be played in Cape Town, South Africa but was switched back to London during the week.
Connacht V Toulouse – I am delighted to see Irish provincial side, Connacht compete in the Heineken Cup for the first time. Coached by former Irish fly half, Eric Elwood, the team from Galway have made huge strides over the past number of seasons. Connacht welcome the mighty Toulouse to the Sportsground on Saturday. The game is Connacht’s 100th European game and a huge ocassion for the Irish side. The day would be capped off nicely by claiming the scalp of the most successful team in Heineken Cup history.
Don’t forget to Pick your Pool winners and see if you can do better than me!
Heineken Cup Week 1
Pool 1 – Castres Olympique, Munster Rugby, Northampton Saints, Scarlets
Heineken Cup Pool 1 - Castres Olympique, Munster Rugby, Northampton Saints, Scarlets
Munster 23-21 Northampton
Scarlets 31-23 Castres
Friday, 18 November – Northampton v Scarlets 20:00
Saturday, 19 November – Castres v Munster 15:40
Pool 2 – Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh Rugby, London Irish, Racing Metro 92
Heineken Cup Pool 2 - Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh Rugby, London Irish, Racing Metro 92
Racing Metro 92 20-26 Cardiff Blues
London Irish 19-20 Edinburgh
Friday, 18 November – Cardiff Blues v London Irish 20:00, Edinburgh v Racing Metro 92 20:00
Pool 3 – Bath Rugby, Glasgow Warriors, Leinster Rugby, Montpellier
Heineken Cup Pool 3 - Bath Rugby, Glasgow Warriors, Leinster Rugby, Montpellier
Montpellier 16-16 Leinster
Glasgow 26-21 Bath
Sunday, 20 November – Leinster v Glasgow 12:45, Bath v Montpellier 15:00
Pool 4 – Aironi Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby
Heineken Cup Pool 4 - Aironi Rugby, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Leicester Tigers, Ulster Rugby
Aironi 12-28 Leicester
Ulster 16-11 Clermont Auvergne
Saturday, 19 November – Leicester v Ulster 18:00, Clermont Auvergne v Aironi 20:00
Pool 5 – Benetton Treviso, Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, Ospreys, Saracens
Heineken Cup Pool 5 - Benetton Treviso, Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, Ospreys, Saracens
Ospreys 28-21 Biarritz
Saracens 42-17 Treviso
Saturday, 19 November – Biarritz v Saracens 13:30, Treviso v Ospreys 13:30
Pool 6 – Connacht Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Toulouse
Heineken Cup Pool 6 - Connacht Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Toulouse
Harlequins 25-17 Connacht
Toulouse 21-17 Gloucester
Saturday, 19 November – Gloucester v Harlequins 15:40, Connacht v Toulouse 18:00
Gavin Hickie, The LineoutCoach, is a former Ireland, Leinster and Leciester rugby player now based in California and taking rugby to the USA. He writes for RugbyMag.com and other publications when not coaching for Belmont Shore and blogging on lineoutcoach.com