Old favourites return for the cup of cups

While it has its flaws, and the best eight don't always make the cut, the Heineken Cup rarely fails to inspire the senses, writes GERRY THORNLEY

ONCE AGAIN the Heineken Cup rides to the rescue. Last week’s Demolition Derby didn’t quite provide the hairy lemon for post-World Cup hangovers which we had hoped for, but if the competition that reaches parts of Europe like no other doesn’t achieve the feat, nothing can.

In last week’s five games in the Pro 12, 143 points were scored, of which there were only five tries (three in one game) and a penalty try, as against 34 penalties and three drop goals.

Ye Gods.

Hardly stuff to stir the senses. Perhaps the surfeit of derbies compounding the collective attacking rustiness caused by reintroducing World Cup returnees had something to do with it.

After all, in the Top 14s’ truncated programme of four matches, there were nine tries, albeit two of the winners did so relying purely on three-pointers. The Premiership was the most productive, yielding 20 tries in its half-dozen matches.

Regardless of tries, the drama of the Heineken Cup match-ups rarely fails to inspire. The competition may have its flaws. So it was that in each of the last five seasons at least one of the two best runners-up have emerged from groups with an Italian team, and in the last two seasons all four quarter-finalists via that route have done so after dipping their bread against both of the Italians.

So the best eight teams, per se, don’t always make up the last eight.

However, unlike the World Cup, it’s hard to imagine a team progressing to the final with the kind of performance and results France produced en route to the decider in Eden Park, ie losing two pool matches, including one to Tonga, and producing one decent 40 minutes against England before scraping past Wales.

Furthermore, think of any recent winners, not least Leinster last season, and invariably there is little debate about the ultimate champions meriting the trophy. Even in World Cup seasons, think of Munster beating Toulouse in the final four seasons ago, the cream usually rises to the top.

This usually takes the form of teams with form over the course and distance, who have big squads able to compete on both domestic and European fronts, along with evident signs of their continuing well-being.

Viewed in that light, Toulouse, Leinster and Northampton – who have strengthened their squad since running out of puff in last season’s final – look to be the stand-out contenders, with Clermont and Saracens dark horses on form, if less so on pedigree.

Munster and Leicester have plenty of the latter, but don’t look at their vintage best.

Leinster have the best recent Euro form of all, and are thus attempting to become the first team to win three Heineken Cups in four years. But only Leicester, in 2001 and 2002, have retained their title, and of course Leinster must plan a pool campaign without you-know-who for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Nathan Hines’ strength, mauling and offloading will also be missed.

Then again, they have become a European machine in the last three years, raising their game to Test-match intensity almost without fail, and in their last 16 ties, have only lost away to Toulouse and Clermont. Hence they are the number-oneranked side in Europe.

Puzzlingly for one of the world’s leading rugby brands, Munster look shy a marquee signing or two, notably in the backrow and midfield, and their cutting edge has been cruelly dulled by the injuries to Keith Earls and Felix Jones, though Earls might make it back in December.

They are also under huge pressure to win their opening game at home to Northampton, who showed two seasons ago in a 12-9 defeat the Limerick citadel holds few fears for them.

Munster’s much improved forward play under Anthony Foley, their BJ Botha-beefed up scrum gives them a chance and Ronan O’Gara’s continuing excellence augur well, but they’ll need a vintage campaign from their maestro at 10 to have any hope, starting next Saturday at home to Northampton.

The final is at Twickenham, where English sides have won all three deciders, and thus the Saints look good value at 9 to 1. But Toulouse are again worthy favourites, and two years since their fourth title, are possibly due another one.