Rugby: Gatland tips provinces for ‘Heineken’ celebration

FORMER national coach Warren Gatland has given a vote of confidence to Ireland’s Heineken Cup contenders.

The London Wasps’ boss believes that Munster and Leinster will avenge last week’s defeats to Gloucester and Sale while he expects Ulster to repeat their heroic performance against Leicester at Welford Road.

But he claims that Gloucester’s victory over Munster was not a surprise, unlike the manner of the visitors' capitulation.

“Gloucester are a very good side even though their performances have been somewhat mixed this season. The fact is that they have never lost a Heineken Cup fixture at Kingsholm, and I don’t think it was a surprise result.

“Munster didn’t help themselves by playing poorly but there were other reasons why they lost so comprehensively.

“Gloucester obviously did their homework well. They put pressure on the Munster pack, attacked the line out and therefore put a lot of pressure on Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara. These are two of the best players in the tournament and it was a key issue to keep them under control,” the former Irish boss said.

“I also think that Henry Paul made a huge contribution for Gloucester, something he couldn’t do in Thomond Park last year from the full back position.”

But the Kiwi believes the English side face a much tougher task on Saturday.

“For a start there is the Thomond Park factor and, like it or not, that’s worth at least a ten point start to Munster,” he suggested.

“Last season, Gloucester were quite naive on the same ground. This year, it was Munster’s turn at Kingsholm. They have a week to turn it around and I’m sure Alan Gaffney has identified the weaknesses.

“Munster are a quality team with the potential to play much better and I expect them to do just that.

“Munster have had to fight for their lives in the past and they know that they must win this to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

“They are in the happy position of having two home matches out of the next three. They should win the away tie to Treviso and the last game against Bourgoin. Saturday is critical.”

Gatland claimed that Leinster were complacent in their shock single point loss to Sale Sharks at Lansdowne Road on Friday night.

“They have every right to feel annoyed with themselves, and if they reflect they might recognise the Sale challenge was treated too lightly.

“Leinster scored a great try early in the game and maybe felt too good about themselves. In this tournament you’ve got to work for your success as well and, more importantly, you’ve got to be patient. The injury to Brian O’Driscoll was a blow but they could still have won the game.

“One of their problems is that they don’t have a number ten who can control the game. Matt Leek isn’t a bad player but it’s a big step-up from the Celtic League.

"Leinster also miss the influence of Denis Hickie and the only individual threat in their back line, the only real strike runner at the moment, appears to be Gordon D’Arcy.

“They’re lacking a bit of fire-power out wide but they are still capable of beating Sale. It was a huge result for Sale but the Leinster pack didn’t come up to requirements and they are better than that. If the pack can turn it around and Leinster somehow manage to control territory, they have a decent chance.”

Meanwhile, he expects Ulster to complete a twin victory over Leicester at Welford Road.

“It won’t be anything as easy as in Ravenhill on Sunday, but Leicester appear to be going through a bit of a crisis at the moment. They’re not playing with much confidence and there appears to be a bit of trouble behind the scenes.

“You don’t often find Leicester in such a vulnerable position, so it’s an ideal opportunity for Ulster to catch them out a second time and boost their own chances hugely.”