New name, new format, new trophy; same rugby rivalries.
Europe’s premier club competition returns this weekend with
the inaugural round of the Rugby Champions Cup. With the top teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and
Ireland days away from fighting it out to lift the new trophy, we give our
thoughts on the five pools, and the teams most likely to emerge victorious into
the knockout stages. With the top four teams and three best runners up going
through, every game is important.
Pool 1:
Saracens
The North London
side came so European glory last season, losing out to Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon
in the final in Cardiff. They’ll be desperate to go one step further this year,
but face a stern challenge from last two of last year’s semi-finalists in
Munster and Clermont. However, if they can recreate the form that saw them
demolish Clermont 46-6, they’ll be a powerful force.
Prediction: The
first game at home against Clermont is a must win – if they do, Sarries can top
the table, if they lose, they’ll face elimination at the group stage.
Munster
After a terrible
start against Edinburgh in the Pro 12, Munster have clawed back some form and
find themselves sitting in fourth place in the table. They arguably have one of
the easiest starts to the tournament with a visit to Sale, and should expect to
win. If they can take momentum from the trip to Sale, they face the prospect of
back to back home games against Saracens and Clermont. Those games will be
tough, but if Munster can make home advantage count, they will find themselves
in a great position going into the second half of the group.
Prediction: To
qualify in second place.
Clermont
Currently sitting atop
the Top 14 table, Clermont will be looking to replicate the feat in Europe.
They’ll be looking to avenge last year’s semi-final thrashing at the hands of
Saracens in their first game – a win at Allianz Park will make the French side
favourites to top the group, but a loss will throw things wide open.
Prediction: To top
the group.
Sale Sharks
Sale surprised many
of us with their 6th place finish in last year’s Premiership, but
have struggled so far this season, currently sitting above only Newcastle and
London Welsh. Their 43 – 10 obliteration at the hands of Northampton was so
comprehensive that Director of Rugby Steve Diamond refused to attend the
post-match press conference. Even with Premiership top try-scorer Tom Arscott
and England’s Danny Cipriani in the squad, Sale are likely to struggle.
Prediction: Out in
the group stage.
Pool 2:
Leinster
Perhaps the easiest group to call as the three times
champions look to restore their European rugby pedigree after surrendering
their crown to a certain French giant two years running. The other three
incumbents are perhaps unlikely to challenge for a top spot in the group but if
ever there was a chance then the year after the departure of Brian O'driscol
could be it. However even without the great man as well as the injured Sean
O'brien they have a plethora of international talent across the board and only
the bravest would bet against them making the play offs.
Prediction: To top the group.
Castres
To say the former Top 14 champions have struggled early on
this year is an understatement with a frankly embarrassing 59-7 bludgeoning
from the hands of Bordeaux-Bègles being the last
fixture before Europe. Several key stars are out due to injury including the
mesmeric new signing Sitiveni Sivivatu make them an unlikely horse to back in
getting to the play offs. Saffa turned Frenchman Rory Kockott is the man to
watch from the scrum half position if they do in fact fire on all cylinders but
one suspects that even from this early stage in the game the club will focus on
steering the ship from potential relegation in their domestic league.
Prediction: Out in the group stage.
Harlequins
Perhaps hold the biggest threat to challenging Leinster to
top spot if they can realise the potential their squad promises and find the
European form that has been lacking at times in the premiership. A strong off
season recruitment campaign must now be backed up with an equally hardy on
field campaign given that Quins have long provided the backbone to current
England squad and given the recently added flyer Marland Yarde to the backline
they certainly don't lack for firepower. Danny Care and Mike Brown are perhaps
two of best players when creating front-foot ball for a team to thrive off and
if they can see of Castres in round one you'd expect them to challenge at the
very least.
Prediction: To finish 2nd in the group but perhaps missing out
on qualification due to the closeness of the group.
Wasps
A once mighty rugby super power now hopefully with their
financial security ensured along with the "London" part of their name
now fully discarded (Hopefully not their fan base also) can now focus on
reclaiming a place at the dining table of European greatness. Their place in
the newly formatted tournament was hard fought in a double header against Stade
France last season and you'd perhaps have to say that it's a year or two too
early for the Coventry bound club to realistically challenge. Home games after
trading Adams park for the Ricoh will likely not feel as such for the time
being and with a daunting trip to Dublin to take on the pool favourites first
up you'd be hard pushed to see them not dropping out before play offs.
Prediction: Out in the group stage.
Pool 3:
Toulon
The reigning
champions will be attempting to do something no other team has done before; win
the European competition three years in a row. Toulon has class running through
the squad, but the big question on everyone’s lips is if they can reach Europe’s
heights without the talismanic Jonny Wilkinson at the centre of the squad.
Nonetheless, with Matt Giteau as playmaker and Steffon Armitage looking likely
to remain in France, only a fool would deny that Toulon were in with a shot of
making history.
Prediction: To top
the group.
Leicester Tigers
It’s been a
miserable start to the Premiership for the Tigers, who currently sit in eighth
place in the table – a position nobody would have placed them in during
pre-season. Manu Tuilagi may have returned to full fitness, but Leicester are
still missing a number of frontline players. Considering how much impact squad
size and depth can have when it comes to Europe, Tigers may struggle to perform
on two fronts this season.
Prediction: Out at
the group stage.
Ulster
The absences of
Ruan Pienaar and Andrew Trimble will be a blow to Ulster, but the Irish
province still has a number of world-class players to call upon. Tommy Bowe and
Rory Best are proven international players, whilst Paddy Jackson, who starts
against Leicester in the opening game, will be hoping to nail down a claim to
the Irish jersey with some big performances. Ulster’s first game in Leicester
will be a tough introduction to this year’s competition, but if they can come
away victorious, European glory may await.
Prediction: To
qualify in second place.
Scarlets
Whilst every group
in the revamped competition is tough, Scarlets will probably feel like they’re
in one of the harder ones. The Welsh region has been misfiring in the Pro12 –
winning two, drawing two, and losing two, and it’s unlikely that the Champions
Cup will help them back to winning ways. Whilst they may be in with a shot of
sneaking a few wins at home, it’s likely to be a rough time on the road for
Scarlets.
Prediction: Out at
the group stage.
Pool 4:
Glasgow Warriors
Currently sitting in second place behind Ospreys in the Pro
12 and bouncing back strong this season after just losing out to Leinster in
the final last time out in the domestic league Glasgow enter Europe with
renewed vigour and ambition. Stuart Hogg once forgotten by both club and
country now lines up in his familiar 15 jersey and can be deadly if the
opposition aren't weary of his scything runs from deep. A home start gives them
a good advantage in getting the ball rolling and building some momentum and
possibly claiming what is by far the closest group to call.
Prediction: If capable of translating their Celtic form into
Europe then expect them to go far if not they could languish at either 3rd or
4th place of tightly contested group.
Montpellier
Long the chronic underachievers in Europe and another side
from across the channel that tend to write of the competition in things start
to dwindle in the Top 14. When at their best they can be absolutely
scintillating and provide some of the most exciting rugby on display in the
whole of the Northern Hemisphere. When not they demonstrate some of the most
lethargic and woeful in the world and only time will tell which it will be.
Prediction: A healthy win ratio over fellow Top 14
competitors Toulouse and with a gigantic squad to boot, Fabien
Galthié
and his
charges would be a safe bet to come out on top. However the club's past in this
competition along with the loss of playmaker Trinh-Duc could mean they find
themselves bringing up the rear.
Bath
Up until
a frankly surprising loss to Wasps last week Bath were in majestic form and
seemed poised to potentially top the group. However if a trip to Adams park proves
too much then a trip to the Stade
Ernest Wallon surely won't bring the first piece of silverware to Bruce Craig
Era. That said the men in blue, black and white have looked almost unplayable
when at their pomp this season and in a group so hotly contested perhaps they
can do what it takes to get them through to last 8. Even without their league
convert star signing Sam Burgess and with the Steffon Armitage deal falling
through they still contain a herculean squad and certainly don't lack for fire
power in the backline. Semesa Rokoduguni, Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph are all making
strong cases for England selection this November and don't seem ready to stop
anytime soon.
Prediction: If a certain French
Behemoth hadn't started to stir all but two weeks ago you'd of put them as
favourites to top the group. As it stands you place them at either 2nd or 3rd.
Toulouse
The four times champions have been
experiencing some pretty hard times as of late with the club coach and stalwart
Guy Novès under serious pressure to turn results around. That result came when
Toulouse managed to topple the current champions Toulon in what feels like a
shot of adrenaline in the arm to what was looking like a dying power. If they
can fix the problems with their set piece expect the talents of Gaël Fickou and
Yoann Huget to run circles around opposition defenses.
Prediction: Toulouse may have
struggled in the Top 14 so far but they're a completely different beast in
Europe and should prove too much for rest of their group.
Pool 5:
Northampton
Long the budding bridesmaids in both Europe and England Jim
Mallinder's men have finally crossed off the latter last season and have
started the 2014 one in a similar vein of form. Northampton's power game is a
monstrous thing to witness when on form and Sale were the latest team to be
utterly overwhelmed by the East Midlands juggernaut. An attack often sparked by
the sniping runs of Kahn Fotuali'i
and finished with the exquisite finishing of George North Saints are surely
favourites to not only top the group but also make it to the quarter finals
also.
Prediction: To top the group.
Racing Metro
Racing haven’t really found form in this year’s Top 14,
currently sitting uncomfortably in the middle of the table. A loss at home to
Northampton might end all interest from the French side who, as many French
clubs often do, might choose to focus on their domestic battle. However, if RM’s
host of international stars, including Welsh trio of Jamie Roberts, Mike
Phillips, and Luke Charteris can make an impact, Racing might just surprise a
few sceptics.
Prediction: If they start well, to qualify in second place.
If they start badly, out at the group stage.
Ospreys
The Ospreys have been the surprise of the Pro12 this year,
topping the table with six wins from six games. It will be even more of a
surprise if they can replicate that feat in Europe, although a home clash
against Treviso is probably the easiest fixture of the entire contest. A
resounding victory will give the Ospreys some more confidence going into the
tougher fixtures in this pool.
Prediction: If they start well, to qualify in second place.
If they start badly, out at the group stage.
Treviso
Treviso are the only Italian team to grace the competition this
year due to the revamping of the tournament and its qualification system and
you'd be hard pushed to see them win a game in such a strong group. Even with Alessandro Zanni shining
within the pack Treviso have looked poor this season and will almost certainly
bow out early in Europe. An underpowered and lethargic front five combined with
a lackluster pair of half backs means you'd expect the Italian outfit to
struggle home and away this year meaning one of the best runners-up will likely
come from one of the other teams in pool 5.
Prediction: Out in the group stages.
Predictions by Alex Dodd and Alex Hawksworth-Brookes
