Heineken Cup Quarter Final Preview

Leinster v. Leicester

First and foremost its great to see the Heineken Cup back on our screens this weekend! And to have Ulster in the mix this year is something to savor, well done to them on making it this far. Leinster are rightfully favorites to go all the way this year. Winners in 09, beaten Semi finalists last year, they are one of the top dogs in European Rugby. Some people are even suggesting that they are one of the best club sides in the World at the minute (based on form) but I wouldn't go that far. Their form in the Heineken this year has been second to none and explains why they have been given the tag of favorites. Leicester marshaled by Ben Youngs and Toby Flood at 9 and 10 respectively will have had a few nightmares since their recent trip to the Aviva where Ireland sent them packing. Leicester are not a bad side but they are not a great side either while on the other hand, Leinster are. Even if Leinster were travelling away for this game (which they are not) I'd still back them to win.

RT Prediction: Leinster

Northampton Saints v. Ulster

For anyone who has been watching Ulster in the past 6 weeks (not me!) you will have seen them win games from near impossible situations. This has been very good albeit if some of those situations were brought on by themselves. However, the saying goes that winning is indeed a habit. A habit which Ulster have lacked in recent years, especially in Europe. The introduction of Pienaar this year has been fantastic for them even though it took him a while to settle in. Northampton are sitting 4th in the Aviva Premiership. In their last outing ( a week ago) they toppled Sale Sharks with a massive score-line (53-24). I'm not predicting for one second that they will do that to Ulster but what I am questioning is, when was the last time Ulster scored that many points in a game? 

The Saints have serious firepower in Chris Ashton and Ben Foden. While in the pack they should also exert a dominance over their Ulster counterparts with Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley hard at work. If Ulster can stay within touching distance of Northampton they might have an outside chance of turning them over. I don't see it though

RT Prediction: Northampton

semi finals........ Leinster v. Toulouse & Northampton v. Perpignan