Pool
One: Munster, Edinburgh, Saracens, Racing Metro
Racing
Metro join three of last season's quarter-finalists in Pool One of this year's
competition, where two-time winners Munster are strong favourites to progress
to their 14th quarter-final in 18 seasons.
Saracens
romped through the pool stages last term before
receiving a French lesson from Clermont in the quarters and they are likely to
find qualifying much tougher this year, although Edinburgh have endured a slow
start to their Rabo Direct Pro12 campaign.
romped through the pool stages last term before
receiving a French lesson from Clermont in the quarters and they are likely to
find qualifying much tougher this year, although Edinburgh have endured a slow
start to their Rabo Direct Pro12 campaign.
The
men from the Scottish capital were drawn alongside Top 14 outfit Racing at the
same stage 12 months ago, contesting two enthralling matches, both of which
Michael Bradley's men won at the death. The 48-47 thriller at Murray field will
live long in the memory for Edinburgh fans.
Prediction: Munster motor on
Pool
Two: Toulouse, Leicester, Ospreys, Treviso
The Pool
of Death. Former European kings Leicester and Toulouse are
joined by reigning Rabo Direct Pro12 champions Ospreys and ever-improving
Italian side Treviso.
are
joined by reigning Rabo Direct Pro12 champions Ospreys and ever-improving
Italian side Treviso.
They have now gone over a decade without
lifting the trophy.
They
will be buoyed by the return of a host of influential figures from injury
though, and one feels they will need to be at full strength if they are to
mount a serious title challenge. The whisper across the Channel is that Guy
Noves is beginning to lose his magic touch at Toulouse but writing off the
likes of Lionel Beauxis, Vincent Clerc and Thierry Dusautoir is a dangerous
game.
Ospreys
will be looking to address their uninspiring record in the competition, in
which they have never made it past the quarter-finals stage. Doing so this year
would be some achievement bearing in mind this draw, which includes a Treviso
side who have already beaten the Welsh region in domestic action.
Prediction:
Tigers roar
Pool
Three: Harlequins, Biarritz, Connacht, Zebre
In
a complete contrast to Pool Two, there is a clear divide between the top and
bottom two seeds in Pool Three.
Biarritz and Harlequins will strongly fancy their chances of
qualifying for the last eight after being pooled with Connacht and Heineken Cup
debutants Zebre. Aviva Premiership champions Quins did suffer defeat at the
hands of Connacht in Ireland last term, though, so will be taking nothing for
granted when the sides meet again. Biarritz, beaten finalists in 2006 and 2010,
have a strong pedigree in the competition and will be led once again by Les
Bleus powerhouse forward Imanol Harinordoquy.
and Harlequins will strongly fancy their chances of
qualifying for the last eight after being pooled with Connacht and Heineken Cup
debutants Zebre. Aviva Premiership champions Quins did suffer defeat at the
hands of Connacht in Ireland last term, though, so will be taking nothing for
granted when the sides meet again. Biarritz, beaten finalists in 2006 and 2010,
have a strong pedigree in the competition and will be led once again by Les
Bleus powerhouse forward Imanol Harinordoquy.
Prediction: Quins top,
Biarritz claw into quarters
Pool
Four: Ulster, Castres, Northampton, Glasgow
An
intriguing pool comprising English, Irish, Scottish and French clubs all
capable of producing big performances on their day.
Last
year's beaten finalists Ulster will start as favourites to progress after their
sparkling run to the Twickenham final last time out. The Irish province have
strengthened with the re-signing of centre Tommy Bowe and he, along with
inspirational kicker Ruan Pienaar, will be integral to Ulster's hopes of going
one better here.
will start as favourites to progress after their
sparkling run to the Twickenham final last time out. The Irish province have
strengthened with the re-signing of centre Tommy Bowe and he, along with
inspirational kicker Ruan Pienaar, will be integral to Ulster's hopes of going
one better here.
The
fortunes of Northampton and Castres are always hard to predict but both, you
would expect, will be formidable forces on home soil. Glasgow, coached by
Gregor Townsend, have made a promising start to the domestic campaign and will
deem their home form as integral to their hopes of reaching the last eight.
Prediction: Ulster remain on
course
Pool
Five: Leinster, Clermont, Scarlets, Exeter
Defending
champions Leinster nestle in Pool Five as coach Joe Schmidt attempts to
mastermind a remarkable fourth Heineken Cup title in five years for the Irish
giants.
Their
progression from the pool stages is by no means a formality. Top 14
entertainers Clermont will be out for revenge after their agonising 19-15
semi-final reverse to the eventual champions while Scarlets have already introduced themselves to Schmidt's men
with a thumping 45-20 win on the opening day.
have already introduced themselves to Schmidt's men
with a thumping 45-20 win on the opening day.
Exeter Chiefs would have been hoping for a kinder draw in their
debut campaign but the West Country boys will be seeing this as the perfect
opportunity to bruise some egos.
would have been hoping for a kinder draw in their
debut campaign but the West Country boys will be seeing this as the perfect
opportunity to bruise some egos.
Prediction: Leinster, with
Clermont also qualifying
Pool
Six: Toulon, Montpellier, Cardiff, Sale
Two
teams from the same nation will battle it out in Pool Six after French duo
Toulon and Montpellier were paired together alongside Cardiff Blues and Sale Sharks.
and Sale Sharks.
Jonny
Wilkinson's Toulon have started 2012-13 in ominous form, winning seven of eight
Top 14 fixtures, with that solitary loss coming away in Toulouse. RCT, with
Armitage brothers Delon and Steffon in their ranks, will fancy a career-best
run in the competition and will be more than content with this draw. Top 14
runners-up Montpellier, Cardiff and Premiership strugglers Sale will seemingly
be battling it out for Amlin Challenge Cup qualification.
Prediction: Toulon make
their mark
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