With the group stages reaching their climax, we look at the remaining fixtures and discuss who's in line for that all important home quarter final.
Pool 1 concludes with Leinster hosting the Ospreys at the RDS while Castres travel to take on the Northampton Saints. Technically, Northampton can still qualify but they'll be depending on an upset at the RDS. Nevertheless they will want to keep themselves in with a chance by beating Castres at Franklins Gardens and more than likely securing a bonus point along with it. Leinster who face a 5 day turnaround must look to beat the Ospreys who have had their most disappointing campaign to date. A bonus point win won't mean anything for the boys in blue, they just need to get the job done against the Ospreys and hope that Sean O'Brien can make a speedy recovery to make it back for their away Quarter Final.
Pool 2 didn't provide us with the upset we thought it might last weekend as Toulon turned on the power in the second half to crush Cardiff Blues. Some are predicting an upset this week when the French giants must travel to Glasgow Warriors but personally I can't see it happening. The defending champions have more about them than to throw it away when it matters and I'd expect them to get the win and maybe even a bonus point to book themselves a home quarter final.
Pool 3 will be topped by Tolouse after they overcame a resilient Saracens effort last weekend. They will travel to Zebre this weekend where a bonus point win will be achieved without breaking sweat. No offence to Zebre but the handicap being offered by PaddyPower is 21 points. I'd put my house on the Tolousians beating that as they created chances from nothing last weekend. Similarly PaddyPower have gone with a big margin in the other game which see's Saracens host Connacht. Now if Pat Lams team can play like they did against Tolouse or even remotely near it, then they'll surely beat the handicap of (+22) being given against them. In saying that though, Saracens need 5 points to secure themselves in the competition and as achievable as that is at home, don't write off the boys from the West of Ireland to make them work hard for it.
Pool 4 has been disappointing to say the least. I remember when the pools were announced way back in June, everyone talked about pool 4 as the pool of death. It has been flat though and Racing Metro have been the poorest of the lot given the ability within their newly formed squad. They must travel to Clermont Auvergne with nothing but pride to play for. Interestingly the game kicks off after Munsters game in Edinburgh where should they manage to get a bonus point win, they will possibly be watching the Clermont game hoping that they don't score 4 tries. I for one, wouldn't back against Ronan O'Gara having Racing fired up to do a favour for Munster. At this stage of the competition, its as close they can come to having an impact on how things will pan out. Harlequins will travel to Llianelli where an Amlin place is up for grabs but nobody cares about that!
Pool 5 has got the best match of the weekend as Ulster travel to take on Leicester at Welford Road. If you're a gambling man, I have a tip for you....Get on Ulster to win the Heineken Cup NOW!! Only on Betfair though.... Why? Well I don't think Ulster will win the competition but at a massive 18/1, their odds will surely only shorten from here on in. I'm calling this game very tight and if Ulster can play to their potential, they can win it, or even draw which would put them top seeds and even more importantly, give them a home QF. I wouldn't back against them in Ravenhill no matter who they host. So if you're on Betfair, get some money on Ulster and sell up once their odds go wayyyyy way in after this weekend!
Pool 6 Munster will beat Edinburgh & hopefully by scoring 4 tries. After last week, some interesting comparisons were being made with the Munster team of today versus the Munster team in 2008. There are indeed similarities in some of the players, Casey Laulala/ Rua Tipoki, Johne Murphy/Ian Dowling, Peter O'Mahoney/Alan Quinlan, Tommy O'Donnell/David Wallace, Paul O'Connell/Paul O'Connell..... While it's nice to see that the stalwart figures are being replicated, I feel it is better to let these men develop their own legacies... Back to more pressing matters though and Munster are in with a shout of hosting a QF. If they do get one, who'd back against them going all the way? Also in the group, Gloucester might beat Perpignan but who cares...
| Ruck-That Pick of The Week. Leicester v Ulster Saturday 18:00 |
