Righting the wrongs of week one

TO borrow a phrase from one of Heineken’s rivals, last weekend’s opening round of the European Cup was probably the best we have seen for some time. Intense action, high-quality performances, buckets of tries, contentious refereeing interpretation and games that went to the wire. An outstanding medley of issues to launch the 15th year of the Heineken Cup.

In recent seasons, an element of conservatism spread through the opening pool games with teams adopting a negative approach in a bid to avoid a losing start. One could not lay that accusation at the contests witnessed at Welford Road, Franklin’s Gardens, Stade Toulousain and the Stade Jean-Bouin.

Against a background of illness and injury, last season’s beaten finalists Leicester Tigers displayed an incredible resilience and will to win to reel in an 18-point deficit at one stage and secure a draw against an Ospreys side which, for once, played a brand of rugby in keeping with the quality runners at their disposal.