Heineken Cup 2013/14

[KevinO]

So the fixtures are out for the first 6 rounds, I am a lot happier with mainly Saturday games for Munster this year.

Round One - 11/12/13 October 2013

Pool 1: 12/10 - Castres v Northampton, Stade Pierre Antoine, 16:40. Ospreys v Northampton, Liberty Stadium. 18:00.
Pool 2: 13/10 - Exeter v Cardiff Blues, Sandy Park, 12:45. Toulon v Glasgow, Stade Félix Mayol, 16:00.
Pool 3: 11/10 - Connacht v Saracens, The Sportsground, 20:00. Toulouse v Zebre, Stade Ernest Wallon, 21:00.
Pool 4: 12/10 - Harlequins v Scarlets, The Stoop, 15:40. 13/10 - Racing Métro 92 v Clermont, Stade Yves du Manoir, 21:00.
Pool 5: 11/10 - Ulster v Leicester, Ravenhill, 20:00. 12/10 - Treviso v Montpellier, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 14:35.
Pool 6: 12/10 - Edinburgh v Munster, Murrayfield, 13:35. Gloucester v Perpignan, Kingsholm, 18:00.

Round Two - 18/19/20 October 2013

Pool 1: 19/10 - Leinster v Castres, RDS 15:40. 20/10 - Northampton v Ospreys, Franklin's Gardens, 12:45.
Pool 2: 19/10 - Cardiff v Toulon, Arms Park, 13:35. 20/10 - Glasgow v Exeter, Scotstoun Stadium, 14:00.
Pool 3: 18/10 - Saracens v Toulouse, Wembley Stadium 19:45. 19/10 - Zebre v Connacht, Stadio XXV Aprile, 14:35.
Pool 4: 19/10 - Scarlets v Racing Métro, Parc y Scarlets, 18:00. 20/10 - Clermont v Harlequins, Stade Marcel Michelin, 16:00.
Pool 5: 18/10 - Leicester v Treviso, Welford Road, 20:00.
Pool 6: 19/10 - Munster v Gloucester, Thomond Park, 18:00. 20/10 - Perpignan v Edinburgh, Stade Aimé Giral, 13:45.

Round Three - 6/7/8 December 2013

Pool 1: 6/12 - Castres v Ospreys, Stade Pierre Antoine, 21:00. 7/12 - Northampton v Leinster, Franklin's Gardens, 18:00.
Pool 2: 6/12 - Cardiff v Glasgow, Arms Parks, 20:00. 7/12 - Exeter v Toulon, Sandy Park, 13:35.
Pool 3: 7/12 - Zebre v Saracens, Stadio XXV Aprile, 14:35. 8/12 - Toulouse v Connacht, Stade Ernest Wallon, 16:00.
Pool 4: 7/12 - Clermont v Scarlets, Stade Marcel Michelin, 14:35. Racing Métro v Harlequins, Stade de la Beaujoire, 16:40.
Pool 5: 7/12 - Ulster v Treviso, Ravenhill, 18:00. 8/12 - Leicester v Montpellier, Welford Road, 15:00.
Pool 6: 8/12 - Munster v Perpignan, Thomond Park, 12:45. Edinburgh v Gloucester, Murrayfield, 13:00.

Round Four - 13/14/15 December 2013

Pool 1: 13/12 - Ospreys v Castres, Liberty Stadium, 20:00. 14/12 - Leinster v Northampton, Aviva Stadium, 18:00.
Pool 2: 13/12 - Glasgow v Cardiff, Scotstoun Stadium, 20:00. 14/12 - Toulon v Exeter, Stade Félix Mayol, 14:35.
Pool 3: 14/12 - Saracens v Zebre, Allianz Park, 15:00. Connacht v Toulouse, Sportsground, 18:00.
Pool 4: 14/12 - Scarlets v Clermont, Parc y Scarlets, 16:40. 15/12 - Harlequins v Racing Métro, The Stoop, 12:45.
Pool 5: 14/12 - Treviso v Ulster, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 14:35. 15/12 - Montpellier v Leicester, Stade Yves du Manoir, 16:00.
Pool 6: 14/12 - Perpignan v Munster, Stade Aime Giral, 16:40. 15/12 - Gloucester v Edinburgh, Kingsholm, 15:00.

Kick-off times and dates for Rounds 5 and 6 will be revealed at a later date.

 

[Bardon]

Northampton really got screwed with their fixtures for round 1. 2 away games in the same day. Haven't looked at the official fixture list but I assume that it should be Osprey v Leinster for the 2nd game in round 1/pool 1.

 

[JSRF10]

Good draw for Leinster, going away to Castres is alot easier when they'll probably be out of the running for qualification. I would like to think that Leinster will be somewhere around 14 points at the end of the 4 games however Ospreys are their bogey team and Northampton have strengthened in the back line, but their forwards are now significantly weaker and they still don't have a ten.

I think that Munster and Ulster both have good chances of qualification. Munsters depends on Murray and POC staying fit for every game and Keatley kicking his goals. Looking forward to seeing an Earls, Conway, Zebo back 3. Ulster will be relying on their big players staying fit, can't wait to see Jared Payne in action again, its only 12 months till he qualifies for Ireland and he is BODs heir in waiting.

 

[KevinO]

I would like to think that Leinster will be somewhere around 14 points at the end of the 4 games, Looking forward to seeing an Earls, Conway, Zebo back 3

No reason why both Munster and Leinster should not reach 14 points by this stage of the tournament.

Agree about POC and Murray. think Earls is looking at a move to 13 and with the signing of Van den Heever from the Stormers he might just get that move.

 

[boyo]

Northampton really got screwed with their fixtures for round 1. 2 away games in the same day.

Couldn't happen to a nicer club.

 

[JSRF10]

think Earls is looking at a move to 13 and with the signing of Van den Heever from the Stormers he might just get that move.

Although Earls has played probably about 60% of his Munster career in the centre I still think his best position is 15 or 11. Thats when he has looked most dangerous on the international stage and has scored some crucial tries for Ireland there. Still not convinced he has the awareness to play 13, still looks to back himself a bit too much when he'd be better putting team mates into space.

Should Munster be looking to move Hurley into 12 this year? He is big, mobile and got great hands and looking at the back 3 options available he mightn't get a gig at 15.

 

[KevinO]

Hurley at 12 with Earls 13 might be a option. Than would leave Zebo, Van den Heever, Conway and Felix Jones (If he can ever stay injury free) as the options for the back 3.

Not bad looking backline:

9: Murray
10: Keatley
11: Zebo
12: Downey/Hurley
13: Earls
14: Conway/Van den heever
15: Jones (Hurley when Jones is injured)

Looks pretty strong to me. Earls would want to develop his passing game at 13 for when BOD finally retire's as I can't see him getting much time for Ireland on the wing anymore behind Bowe, Zebo and Gilroy.

 

[Bardon]

On the Earls front I just hope he has a settle position for the season and stays injury free. He's a proven threat on the wing, but has a lot of work to do at 13.

If he focuses on one position he could have a real crack at a regular Ireland spot be that wear 11 or 13. But until his best/permanent position is sorted out I think he'll miss out to other specialist players.

I think the same is true of Fergus McFadden who moves between centre and wing a lot. Like Earls he showed a lot of promise when he first broke through and was quickly reward at national level. But both have fallen down the pecking order behind specialists and seem to be injury cover rather than genuine regular starters.

I think the most I can hope for, for both players is that they have really good seasons and leave Schmidt with some real selection headaches.

 

[Bardon]

Looking at the opening fixtures I'm most excited about Ulster v Leicester as that will be a real tussle for early group dominance. Both teams seem to be just off being real contenders in recent years and it's just a little bit extra they need to take the extra step.

The other one is Racing v Clermont. Racing are always up for it in the opening few rounds of the HEC. With Clermont as the runners up they'll really want to have a go. In what looks to be a tough pool, on paper at least, Clermont need a good start.

 

[JSRF10]

McFadden looked like he was being lined up as Leinsters long term 12 around the end of 2011/start of 2012, then injury struck the Leinster back line and he was required on the wing. A similar thing happened last year as well, if Leinster can keep their outside backs injury free I think we'll see Ferg move into 12 where his hard running and solid defence would be better utilized especially alongside Madigan who'll flourish will a hard running 12 getting over the gain line which is something D'Arcy hasn't done in a long time. If McFadden is kept on the wing I'd love Leinster go for Stuart Olding from Ulster (assuming Luke Marshall is still top dog in their battle to replace Paddy Wallace) as D'Arcys replacement the potential of him and Madigan playing together in a few years is very exciting.

As for Earls Munsters best performances last season came when they had a centre pairing of Downey and Lua-Lua. I'd keep that intact, or else have Hurley at 12, and let Zebo, Earls and Conway/Van den Heever be the back 3. They'd be frightening off turnover ball, who'd be 15 between Earls and Zebo is a tough one but the Irish 15 jersey is up for grabs whoever gets it with Kearneys injury/form issues of late.

On another note just read Nothampton have signed Ryan Lamb as their 10 for next season, despite some good acquisitions any side with him as their 10 should be beatable. Although its a long way out if Ross can cope with Corbiserio I'd back Leinster to beat them home and away.

 

[JSRF10]

Looking at the opening fixtures I'm most excited about Ulster v Leicester as that will be a real tussle for early group dominance. Both teams seem to be just off being real contenders in recent years and it's just a little bit extra they need to take the extra step.

The other one is Racing v Clermont. Racing are always up for it in the opening few rounds of the HEC. With Clermont as the defending champions they'll really want to have a go. In what looks to be a tough pool, on paper at least, Clermont need a good start.

Leicesters two record defeats in the Heino have both been in Belfast, the memory of seeing Paddy Wallace dumping Tom Croft into touch will stay with me for a long time. Stephen Ferris is a huge loss for Ulster but I'd be confident enough that they can navigate this one, I wouldn't under estimate how much of a loss Matt O'Connor is for the Tigers especially as he left pretty much with no notice for Leicester to create a succession plan.

Clermonts chance was last year I think and they blew it in spectacular fashion! Racing Metro are (apparently!) 28/1 to win the comp, they've recruited really well so I think they'll be a team to watch. At Heineken level any team with Sexton at 10, and ROG pulling the strings in the coaching box is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[Bardon]

Leicesters two record defeats in the Heino have both been in Belfast, the memory of seeing Paddy Wallace dumping Tom Croft into touch will stay with me for a long time. Stephen Ferris is a huge loss for Ulster but I'd be confident enough that they can navigate this one, I wouldn't under estimate how much of a loss Matt O'Connor is for the Tigers especially as he left pretty much with no notice for Leicester to create a succession plan.

Clermonts chance was last year I think and they blew it in spectacular fashion! Racing Metro are (apparently!) 28/1 to win the comp, they've recruited really well so I think they'll be a team to watch. At Heineken level any time with Sexton at 10, and ROG pulling the strings in the coaching box is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Yeah I hope Racing make a real go of it this year. They always seem to be good for the openers but have faded, like other French teams, towards the end of the pool stage. I actually said Clermont were the champions, obviously a bit of a brain fart, as they lost out to Toulon.

I think looking at the pool they'll expect to top it. But ever team in there can be difficult on their day.

This year, as always, I'm hoping the Irish provinces do well. However I'm also hoping that one of the Welsh regions finally delivers. For many years they've been at the same level of being difficult teams to have in your pool. But maybe seen as beatable home or away when it comes to the knock out stages.

 

[JSRF10]

This year, as always, I'm hoping the Irish provinces do well. However I'm also hoping that one of the Welsh regions finally delivers. For many years they've been at the same level of being difficult teams to have in your pool. But maybe seen as beatable home or away when it comes to the knock out stages.

Scarlets are probably the best Welsh team but got an absolute stinker of a draw. Ospreys are next in line but they've got a tough draw and will probably travel to the RDS needing to win in their last game, also their away form has been woeful for a number of years I don't think they've won away since 2010. The less said about the performance of the majority Cardiffs Welsh national players the better who seem to cruise through the Heineken Cup in recent season without exerting themselves too much, Halfpenny has been a shining light without much else for them.

I think the Pro 12 does need some teams aside from the Irish to make the knock stages, at this stage the only dark horse for this I can see is Glasgow maybe getting a best runners up spot.

 

[KevinO]

Halfpenny and Sexton at Metro seems like it could really be happening.

 

[JSRF10]

Halfpenny and Sexton at Metro seems like it could really be happening.

He is the one player that the WRU should pull out the stops for to keep in Wales. Always gives 110% for Cardiff and is probably the most marketable player left in Wales to try and get some punters through the gates.

 

[JSRF10]

Not Heineken Cup news, but doesn't deserve its own thread so I thought I'd put it in here:

John Plumtree named Ireland forwards coach

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23514680

 

[mxyzptlk]

Stephen Ferris is a huge loss for Ulster but I'd be confident enough that they can navigate this one

Isn't Ferris on a 6-month contract to prove he can get right? So he should still be around for the Six Nations, and even have about a month of playing time before that begins.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Not Heineken Cup news, but doesn't deserve its own thread so I thought I'd put it in here:

John Plumtree named Ireland forwards coach

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23514680

Saw that in another article. The writer had a little trepidation about who'll be running the scrum, but thought Plumtree would be nothing but great for the back row.

 

[JSRF10]

Isn't Ferris on a 6-month contract to prove he can get right? So he should still be around for the Six Nations, and even have about a month of playing time before that begins.

I think his career is in the balance, but to be honest I don't know the ins and outs of the situation.I do know that he doesn't really do any contact training because of the issues with his knee however I believe that this latest injury is his ankle.

If he can proves his fitness I'd say Ulster will offer him another 6 month deal, all my fingers and toes are crossed he gets fit and stays fit, he is the best player in the NH when fit IMO just unfortunately for Irish rugby he rarely is!

 

[JSRF10]

Saw that in another article. The writer had a little trepidation about who'll be running the scrum, but thought Plumtree would be nothing but great for the back row.

Thats the big missing element in Irelands coaching ticket at the moment, I would hope at the very least we'll be seconding Greg Feek from Leinster as per what has been happening previously. The IRFU have been looking for a full time scrum development coach for a long time so once that is filled he'll probably take responsibility. To be honest if your teaching props technique before an international your screwed anyway, Mike Ross is enough of a scrum nerd (and a respected player within the squad) to be capable of running scrummaging sessions as I'm led to believe he has done with Leinster on occasion.

I think Plumtree as an ex back row could be a great appointment, Schmidts game plan depends on the front five smashing rucks all day and generating quick ball so the main carriers can get behind the defence and give Jonny Sexton a retreating defence to create opportunities against. As an ex back row he should be perfect for this, also the Sharks lineout and general forward play was always good so I'm confident he'll improve us here as this is an area we've gone seriously backwards in recently. All in all given the coaches on the market and the IRFUs lack of financial clout I don't think we could have done much better.