Heineken Cup 2011 Preview – The Giants are Coming

 

A long way from Oktoberfest

 

As the 16th edition of the northern hemisphere’s premier club rugby competition kicks-off, the tournament seeding system has assembled the toughest set of pools in the competitions history.

This year there is no hiding place as the traditional giants such as Leicester, Munster, Leinster and Toulouse are ever present, as are the emerging forces of Saracens, Toulon, Racing Metro and Cardiff Blues. In addition to this the likes of Clermont, Ospreys and Northampton return with the belief that winning silverware alone can bring and even the Italian sides will look to protect their home grounds.

It is my favourite competition world cup aside, in terms of the sheer diversity of styles on display and the thrill of seeing  players we don’t see all that often, such as when Ruaridh Jackson took apart Bath at the at the Rec in 2008. Then there is the players stepping up to a level that was thought beyond their capabilities like Billy Twelvetrees against the Ospreys last time round. And then there is the tries. Zee Ngwenya’s 85 metre effort past Shane Williams last year, Vilimoni Delasau beating 5 Wasps players from inside his own 22 in 2008, Philip Burger away against Munster in 2009. Not hard to see why it is the event in European rugby calendar.

All the dazzling back play however comes with the caveat that your forwards can at the very least compete upfront, as ever it is in the tight the the game is won and lost. The trips down to the Riviera are as entertaining as a Noel Edmonds Christmas TV special without a decent pack, and this year all the sides look equipped for the arm wrestle. That said, seeing Cencus Johnston, Jean Baptiste Poux, Yannick Nyanga and Louis Picamoles arriving from the bench after 55 minutes in 25 degree heat is no opposition player’s idea of a good time.

Its not quite lose and out, but lose at home and its curtains. Only Munster (twice) and Ulster have gone onto win after failing to win their first game. To pick a winner at this stage is almost impossible, and it would be foolhardy to try. What we will provide though is a pool-by-pool rundown of the runners and riders.

Pool 1 – Cardiff, Castres, Northampton Saints, Edinburgh

A tricky pool, in all likelihood one which only one qualifier will emerge from. Cardiff will be toughened by their Amlin Challenge Cup victory away in France against Toulon while the Saints will be much the wiser in two tight defeats away at Munster last year. Castres are powered by Samoan lock Joe Tekori and All-Black Chris Masoe and will be difficult at home, as will Edinburgh to a lesser extent, but this pool is a two-horse race. Very close but with Jamie Roberts currently laying up injured, Northampton will take the pool with 5 wins.

 

What odds Chris Ashton for top tournament scorer?

 

Pool 2 – Leinster, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, Racing Metro

“The Group of Death” does not do justice to to difficulty of this pool, it is harder than Grant Mitchell. It is going to take some Harold Shipman-esque killing to get of of this one, with the French domestic champions, English runner-up, Magners runner-up and the French leaders and semi-finalists, all joined in unison to make a mockery of the seeding system.

Saracens and Racing are both running hot currently but both are the most inexperienced at this rarified level. The only thing separating Clermont and Leinster in last years quarter final was the space where Brock James heart should have been, since which they have finally added the domestic title at the 11th time of asking and added the considerable might of the heavy carrying and heavy drinking number 8 Sione Lauki. Leinster have started the domestic season slowly, but this pool hinges on the ability to prevent losing bonus points, the nous of the Heineken newbies and whether Brock James went to see the Wizard to ask for a new ticker. Who is going to qualify? No idea, at a push I’d say Clermont while Sarries find a pub-crawl is no preparation for a trip to Montferrand.

Pool 3 – Munster, London Irish, Ospreys, Toulon

Another nasty one.  As a comparison to pool 2 you’d say it were the easier one, however it would be a bit like saying that Reginald was the ‘nicer’ one of the Kray twins. This pool will be alive until the last round of matches but there is nothing to choose between the sides. London Irish proved in Dublin last year they could beat the big sides away from home but consistency let them down, Ospreys will look to progress again in another tough group and Toulon are the unknown quantity in so much that we know they will be good but just how good? Munster have seen it all and experienced it all but having not quite been at the races last year, could their decade of disruption be over? It’ll be a blanket finish but the Ospreys will creak home by the tightest of margins.

 

Fabien Barcella provides the brute force behind Biarritz

 

Pool 4 – Biarritz, Bath, Ulster, Aironi

Having both rebuilt during the summer months, Bath and Ulster renew acquaintances for the second season running. With three springboks brought in down the spine of the side, the Ulstermen should be more of a threat away from their Ravenhill fortress, but unless they can get a home bonus off either of Bath or Biarritz their chances look slim. Having already conquered Ravenhill this season, albeit in a friendly, Bath look in good shape for the top spot depending on the mood of beaten finalists Biarritz, to whom they must travel on match-day 6.

Expect newly formed Aironi to have a thrash-about at home in the group stage and maybe even nick a win somewhere without doing any real damage. Despite being less interesting and emotionally involving than a Keanu Reeves film, the record of the men from San Sebastián doesn’t lie, they are the real deal. As much progress as Ulster and Bath have both made, Biarritz are still the alley cats of this group, and they’ll steal in at night and get the cream.

 

George North is the latest off the Welsh conveyor belt

 

Pool 5 – Leicester, Perpignan, Llanelli Scarlets, Bennetton Treviso

Two-time champions Leicester will look to top this pool containing the free-scoring Scarlets, and Perpignan and Treviso who lock horns for the third year in succession. Indeed, a humiliating opening day defeat away at Treviso effectively eliminated the French giants last time around, so they will be approaching a trip to the Scarlets first-up with some reservations. With half the Italy squad in their ranks and three Magners wins under the belt thus far, Treviso have improved out of all recognition yet it will be difficult for them to look beyond gaining a scalp at home.

Even with exciting players like 18 year-old George North, Morgan Stoddart and Rhys Priestland, ultimately the Scarlets will cave-in to the mammoth packs that the big two sides in this group possess. Both Leicester and Perpignan should be able to do enough to escape this pool, even without a quality recognised fly-half between them. Leicester for the top spot.

Pool 6 – Toulouse, Wasps, Newport-Gwent Dragons, Glasgow

This group is by far the most straightforward of the draw. Only a full-strength Wasps outfit can ask a question of the champions especially since the sad forced retirement of Glasgow match-winner Thom Evans, and the defection of Kelly Brown to Saracens. The Dragons will be pointless. And considering Guy Noves’s side have just added Rupeni Caucau to their squad for the season? Cakewalk. Toulouse by a street and Wasps to mop up the debris and take the second runner-up spot.

Aviva Premiership Preview 2010 – Part 2

London Irish – More of the same unless Lambs turn to Lions

London Irish are probably where Harlequins will be in 2/3 years time, in the closing stages of their evolution. The personnel is largely the same with the key addition being that of Auckland fly-half Daniel Bowden, yet they are made stronger without the debilitating injury list they suffered last year. As ever it is their backs who will be the biggest threat lead by the thunderous Seilala Mapusua, flanked by Sailosi Tagicakibau and an injury-free Topsy Ojo attempting to get his career back on track. The hash they made of the Heineken group after winning away at Leinster, will serve them well going forward as will the depth of their squad. If Ryan Lamb has a breakout year then top 4 is not out of the question but the sheer competitiveness this season means mid-table and HC qualification is a more realistic goal. Prediction: 6th

Newcastle Falcons – Home is where the heart is for the cellar dwellers

How do you solve a problem like the Falcons? The continual chopping and changing of the men in charge has lead to a team that is permanently in a mode of transition and this is reflected in their inability to get the best from their players.  Like a snake they have again shed the heart of the team over the summer with Mark Sorenson, Adam Blading and Carl Hayman departing inevitably for better things. Their assortment of odds and ends signings doesn’t exactly inspire confidence but if they can turn Kingston Park back into the fortress it was, then they can turn the corner and avoid what looks like becoming a two-way scrap with Exeter at the bottom of the ladder. Prediction: 11th

Northampton Saints – Saints: A revenge play

No matter what anyone at the club says in the media, you can guarantee that Jim Mallinder and Dorian have been stewing all summer at coming so close to the final only for Sarries to pull the rug from underneath them. In doing so the baton and title of “Most exciting team in England” passed from Franklyns Gardens to the Watford club, so expect that narrative to come to a head come May. Saints have recruited with an eye on tomorrow, raiding Leeds for promising youngsters Scott Armstrong, Joe Ford and Calum Clark as well as Tom Mercey the Saracens prop, although all are very much ready for now. The biggest difficulty will be plugging the 2nd row gaps left by the departures of Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Juandre Kruger, both of whom added ballast, toughness and know-how to the Saints pack.

At the sharp end of the tight games, they were rudderless at fly-half and a time will come when Mallinder has to plump for either Geraghty or Myler and stick with them, consequences be damned as the current uncertainty undermined them too often. This fly-half situation will prevent them from storming Twickenham. Prediction: 4th

Sale Sharks – New broom sweeping through South Manchester

No nonsense southern hemisphere coach takes the reins at underachieving premiership club and talks of booting out players that are still in contract, changing the culture of the club and a three-year project?  It’s not Brendan Venter we are talking about here but much-capped former all black Mike Brewer who has promised, and begun in earnest, a shake-up at Edgeley Park. It was required after a difficult year for Kingsley Jones and Jason Robinson where relegation was a very real possibility until late in the day.

The scale of the squad turnover has been epic, and although Sale lost a third captain in three years, some real quality has been captured in the shape of Auckland and Samoa full-back Paul Williams, Leinsters Kyle Tonetti and should he ever arrive, the electric IRB 7’s series player of the year Mikaele Pesamino. The biggest capture of all, both in size and impact has to be Bourgoin prop Karena Wihongi, who alongside Andrew Sheridan and Sisa Koyamaibole gives the sharks pack a fearsome look about it. If 20-year old captain James Gaskell can learn quickly and the team gel, mid-table is a reachable target. Prediction: 8th

Saracens – Ten months from greatness

When you stop to actually consider the huge strides made by Saracens last year in terms of turning them into a team capable of winning the title, and then a team capable of playing such beautiful rugby, it defies belief. And they have only strengthened with the signings of one of the killer B’s Kelly Brown, livewire David Strettle and as if there weren’t enough Boers in the dressing room, South African bruiser Deon Carstens. Matt Stevens has also signed up for when his ban ends.  In Schalk Brits they have the best player in the league, by some way, and now he has the supporting cast that can hold on for that extra 3 minutes to lift the trophy. Prediction: 1st

London Wasps – Stretched resources in High Wycombe

Wasps will inevitably suffer this year due to the alarming lack of depth in their squad. Up front there is just about enough cover with long-term injury victims Phil Vickery and Tom Rees back to full fitness and Jason Hobson finally moving closer to a return.  Wildchild Andy Powell has been signed to add to a pack which will need to be exponentially better than last year where they were taken apart by all and sundry.

Behind the scrum the cupboard is bare. As good a signing as Richard Haughton is, he merely replaces the departed Paul Sackey and the combinations at half-back look disjointed. However, a back line of Simpson, Walder, Varndell, Flutey, Waldouck, Lemi and Haughton is still a frightening prospect. Solid rather than spectacular yet Wasps know when to peak. Prediction: 7th

Aviva Premiership Preview 2010 – Part 1

Different name, different teams, different kits, same old premiership. After spending most of last season on life-support, English rugby sprang to life to display some exhilarating rugby in the closing weeks of the season, which in turn was the platform the national team needed to clamber off the canvas in the final rounds of their 09/10 season.

It was a pretty remarkable renaissance. At times last year the Guinness Premiership resembled the reptile house at Chester zoo, with so little life and movement, spectators were asking for pulses to be checked. Steve Borthwick blinked in November and hasn’t opened his eyes yet. England on the other hand were like John Major on amphetamines, a great deal of nothing much interesting at all going on. The Buzz Killington of world rugby.

The tweaking of rules at the breakdown (again) however gave teams more confidence to give the ball some air and so this season the DoR’s promise us better, and boy do we deserve it. Even the most ardent fans winced at some of the dirge on offer. As a Sale follower I can confirm there was plenty of that.

This year the Aviva Premiership teams are almost uniformly stronger than last year, with only strangely enough Northampton weaker than last and even that is relative. The Heineken Cup entrants, Leicester, Saracens, Northampton, Bath, Wasps and London Irish will look to do some serious damage on both fronts, particularly considering the near-whitewash suffered by the English teams last year.

Even the relegation fodder Sale and Leeds have reinforced their packs, and Newcastle have absorbed the loss of the totemic euro-hoarder Carl Hayman with a number of astute signings.

For the neutral it bodes well, and for the fan, the new season always brings hope. Everyone has a chance, who would have thought Leeds would stay up last season outside the Kirkstall training ground? Not many. Here’s the club-by-club…

Bath – Old Money meets new money at one of the sports grandest names.

Cash rich after the takeover by multimillionaire Bruce Craig at the back end of last season, Steve Meehan’s men are once again looking to take that last step up towards the top table and the title. Last year they relied heavily on the outstanding Luke Watson, almost a lone hand in a back-row that pretty much no-one was scared of. This season they have sent for world-class reinforcements in the shape of the ageless Lewis Moody and the battle-worn Simon Taylor. Their success may also depend on whether Tom Biggs can fill the sizable boots of leading scorer Joe Maddock after a quiet year at the Falcons. With the wily lion himself Ian McGeechan sitting upstairs on paper they have all the attributes to be at HQ in May. Prediction 3rd

Exeter Chiefs – Is it the promised land or the twilight zone for the chiefs?

With the odds stacked up unanimously against them from the outset due to Premier Rugby’s self-preservation policy, the only way they could be more odds-on for the drop would be if they were made to play all their home games elsewhere. Having been promoted on the strength of their pack and formidable record at Sandy Park, it’s clear that only winning at home can set them free. Their squad is comparably threadbare but there is experience and not a little power up front in the shape of skipper Tom Hayes, Chris Budgen and James Scaysbrook. Sadly they are bereft of the quality required behind the scrum to gather them enough points to beat the drop. Prediction 12th

Gloucester – Groundhog day for the cherry and whites

I was tempted to copy and paste last years effort up here but integrity changed my mind. They promise so much but give so little in return. The hopes and dreams of the shed heads are dashed perennially  by the soft nature of their team. But perhaps not this year. In the shape of Dave Attwood and the massive Jim Hamilton, Glaws have an engine room the envy of the premiership. Coupled with the all-round brilliance of a fit-again Akapusi Qera and the nice blend of power and subtlety offered in the backs by the likes of Mike Tindall, Tim Molenaar, Nicky Robinson and James Simpson-Daniel and you have a recipe for carnage. Whether they can pull it together for long enough to seriously challenge remains a doubt but I have seen enough to think they will towards the north end of the table. Prediction: 5th

Harlequins – Chequered year ahead for the Twickenham natives

After spending last year in a self-induced coma in the wake of “Bloodgate”, the quins may find it difficult to re-awaken themselves as an effective force this term. They are a team very much in transition, with countless next generation stars waiting to step up: Joe Marler; Charlie Matthews; Joe Gray; Chris York; Tom Casson; George Lowe; Seb Stegmann; Sam Smith; Rory Clegg; the list is endless. If the starting XV stay intact, for every game this season then they may be looking at mid-table but that is unlikely in the extreme. Even with the second best fly-half in the world, Nick Evans, the hope will be that experience is ultimately the goal this year, and to not lose too many games so as to not bruise too many of the players coming through. Could be a rough ride. Prediction: 10th

Leeds Carnegie – Peace by inches for Back and Key

Last year Leeds shocked all but themselves by staving off relegation and even managing to vault over a shell-shocked Sale into 10th place. In the process they finally secured themselves the full slice of the lucrative (and delicious) Premier Rugby pie (funding), thus allowing them to fight this season on an equal footing with the rest (bar Exeter). Back has spent wisely, shoring up the pack with a revitalised Steve Thompson, Jesus Moreno, Miguel Alonso, and the canny kiwi Sean Hohneck. Lachie Mackay and Warren Fury bring some vibrancy to the back line and with Back and Andy Key at the helm you can guarantee they will be conditioned. But in all honesty their continuing success will again be built upon their heavy duty forwards. Prediction 9th.

Leicester Tigers – The Leicester juggernaut rolls on?

After peaking at the right time last year the Tigers will look to carry on the momentum gained into this season to prevent the early season results which made life difficult for them last time around. They lost at Sale on the opening day and they could only draw at home to the Ospreys which ultimately put them out of the Heineken Cup last season. It has been an interesting off-season for them with the deserting of Lewis Moody down to the Rec, the retiring of Harry Ellis and a number of signings, most notably those of  of George Skivington and Thomas “The Tank Engine” Waldrom, the rumbling kiwi workhorse number 8. Ultimately though, Leicester do what Leicester do and that is win things. It is the Heineken Cup which I’m backing them to take this year though as I don’t feel they’ll have enough to hold off the charge of Saracens much longer. Prediction 2nd

Look out for the rest of the predictions and stuff after the break. My fingers are sore…

And Without Further Ado…

Welcome back to another season of northern hemisphere crash and bang down at everyone’s favourite online rugby rag, In At The Corner.

It has been too long since I last posted, and I must express only my apologies as my gig here was rudely interrupted by a week reporting on the round ball for the Times. This was followed by a sabbatical once the realities of writing in the big leagues hit home, also in anticipation of what is going to be an enormous 12-14 months. Lest we forget, it is a World Cup year.

I return however with my spirits lifted after a proper pre-season at Huddersfield, and relishing writing shotgun once again with my colleague Tom McArthur, soon-to-be qualified freelance journo. A boot full of gin is waiting should he ever forget where he made his name.

I guarantee you nothing but that at the end of the season, I shall be giving it the full Russell Crowe in Gladiator treatment “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?…ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?…IS THIS NOT WHY YOU’RE HERE?”. And if not, you can have your money back.

So back to business.

How Ben Foden and Mathew Tait released my writer’s block

What a relief. There haven’t been many times that I will admit to being glad at seeing the back of England for a few months but after the last Six Nations tournament, which will rank as yet another to forget for those on the sweet chariot, I’m in no hurry for the domestic season to finish. Unfortunately the only things “swinging low” at HQ must have been pride, morale, and self-respect after the dirge were forced to watch week after week until a minor catharsis away in France.

More questions than answers

The revival-of-sorts was probably the worst possible outcome for those that believe Martin Johnson has come to the end of the road as England manager. Enough seeds of hope were planted by the belatedly selected Northampton duo of Ben Foden and Chris Ashton, for the hierarchy to frantically and short-sightedly claim things are heading in the right direction. It is clear to all that things are not.

Tactically, selection-wise and motivationally Johnson’s coaching team have proven themselves bereft of any ideas, and the continued selection of the likes of Louis Deacon only confirms their skewed ideology. John Heywood once said “There are none so blind as those who will not see” and if England don’t open their collective eyes soon, its going to be a long tour of Australia this summer.

The Six Nations was a crazy old tournament this year, and possibly never before have all the teams lurched from the sublime to the absurd to the dreadful within the same tournament. The quality was there or thereabouts in general but only France can be truly happy with their work this spring. It must be said that I got the predictions of the final table correctsave for having Ireland and England the wrong way around, thus proving that a yorkshireman is inevitably always right.

As well as doing his utmost to stifle England’s attacking edge, Martin Johnson just about finished my own creativeness off. This explains the five weeks without a post from yours truly at I.A.T.C. So between England’s snoozefests, watching my beloved Sale slide slowly and grimly towards the Premiership trapdoor and my own club Huddersfield manfully staving off relegation from National 2, rugby has held little joy for me.

Foden showed us the light at the end of the tunnel

Then came Ben Foden. I sit and watch the likes of Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Rudi Wulf and Clement Poitrenaud and wonder what the hell is going on as they counter-attack from ANY useless kicks anywhere in their own half, yet in the majority of the northern hemisphere the first thought is to kick to safety. Foden is a breath of fresh air in England, with a look to run philosophy that you just don’t see enough of these days in this country.

Against France he showed he can do it at the highest level, making the concerns around his defensive play look alarmist and unfounded. Let this be the last I talk about this years Six Nations, well done Ben Foden.

It has been sad to watch Sale’s slide down the league over the past 3 years considering the way we smashed the Leicester Tigers to pieces in the Guinness premiership final in 2006. From a squad packed to the gills with stars and talk of a new stadium, to now where we have a threadbare squad of largely mediocre players and the self same soulless groundshare with a decrease in the attendaces, it has been some fall. That we have remained competitive is down to the fact that when we can get out our best XV it is a good side, probably play-off worthy, helmed by the brilliant Charlie Hodgson.

Having hit rock bottom, the cavalry arrived in the shape of Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto, just in time it proved too with us grinding out a win at home to Wasps in the “pizza-gate” grudge match. Then when Worcester rocked up last friday, Taity tore them to shreds, making 3 clean breaks, leaving his opposite number Dale Rasmussen flailing around like a drunk in the dark looking for a light switch. Next up are Saracens at Edgeley a difficult one to call but I don’t fancy their chances either the way we are going.

Saving Sale one break at a time

In light of Ben and Mathew’s heroics, the smile has returned to my face. Huddersfield even piled 50 points an a shocked Broadstreet, and snatched a point away from Hull at the death, so all is well on the western front. And then there is nothing like the return of the Heineken cup to get the juices going .

I don’t have time for an in-depth analysis of the Heineken Quarter finals so I will just give you the winners of each match:

Leinster vs Clermont – This one really could go either way. Leinster were impressive putting away Munster a week ago but this is knockout rugby. The RDS isn’t as much of a fortress as the Irish would have you believe, as shown by London Irish. That being said, Leinster by 3 but don’t bet on it.

Biarritz vs Ospreys – The catalan side have been flying in this tournament and I expect them to continue. The Ospreys to now have lacked that big game mentality and I don’t think anything has changed since munster put them away emphatically in this same round a year ago. Biarritz to progress to the semi.

Munster vs Northampton – This is another very tight encounter involving an Irish outfit. Northampton have probably had the better of their previous two encounters but this is Thomond. If they don’t tighten up like last time they have a chance but Munster have all the experience in these situations. Northampton won’t make the same mistakes again however, Saints by 6.

Toulouse vs Stade Francais – Stade are really struggling now and can’t wait for the season to come to an end, but the Heineken is their last shot at glory and staying in the cup next season. If this can galvanise the parisians to think beyond their off-field woes then They can win the tournament. As powerful as the Toulouse squad is, they are beatable, considering they have never adequately filled the 10 slot. I can’t see past Toulouse however.

Now back to your productivity and enjoy the weekends rugby.