All eyes on the Heineken Cup

IT will be only the eighth Heineken Cup, but such a glittering array of past images heralded its launch in Donnybrook yesterday, it is easy to understand how significant the event has become.

The most lingering memory is of David Humphreys lifting the Heineken Cup as Lansdowne Road was engulfed in a red sea. And as highlights of that emotional victory played to the assembled players and press in RTÉ, Andy Ward allowed himself a little smile. Memories, huh.

Lansdowne Road is, of course, the venue for this year’s final. After the

incredible sense of occasion created in Cardiff last May, the ERC resisted the temptation to make the Millennium Stadium the permanent venue for the final, with Lansdowne getting the vote ahead of Twickenham.

The lure of home support is recognised as an extra incentive for the three Irish provinces and chief executive of the ERC Derek McGrath said: “We have provided the challenges for the provinces and we hope they rise to it.”

But holding the final at Lansdowne Road will see the capacity reduced by almost 30,000 from the Cardiff carnival at the start of this summer.

“There will be a lot less people at this final, obviously there is a drop from 78,000 to 49,500 people, but the Heineken Cup final, over the past few years, has been about generating an

occasion,” McGrath said. “It is not just about the final, it is about the weekend around the final and because of that Lansdowne is the perfect venue.”

Despite possible ticket shortages, there is little doubt should one of the three Irish sides reach the final next May in Lansdowne, it will be one of the great Irish sporting occasions of 2003.

When Humphreys lifted the cup, the competition was a little unsure of its feet (remember the absence of English clubs).

Both Ward and Leinster’s Nathan Spooner referred to the special occasions when their respective sides play at home of a Friday evening.

“Friday nights at Ravenhill have become quite an event,” Ward said. “We have always had fantastic home

support. No matter how badly we are doing, our supporters keep turning up and it has become a weekly event up there.”

Even more of an event have been the trysts in Dublin 4. A lot is expected of Leinster this year in the Heineken Cup and Spooner feels the time has come for the province to build on last year’s quarter-final exit.

“Last year, we got a tough draw. We went to Welford Road and lost. Home venues are important, they are not the only key to progression in this tournament, as Munster have shown, but a home draw in the quarters does give you an advantage. Hopefully, if we are drawn away from home, perhaps our performances will be able to garner the same sort of travelling support Munster can draw on.”

Among those in Leinster’s pool are French side Montferrand, who have won all six cup games at home.

Spooner knows they face a tough task.

“They are averaging about 50 points a home game, and one obstacle we have to overcome if we want to do well in this competition is we have to go to France and win. No Leinster team has managed to do that.”

Whereas Donnybrook and Ravenhill have become special places, nothing quite matches the atmosphere of Thomond Park for a European Cup game. There won’t be a dry eye if Jim Williams follows in the footsteps of Emile N’Temack, Pat Lam and Humphreys in lifting the trophy next May.

“It was said after the first time we lost, that the first cut is always the deepest and it’s true,” Wallace, who is out for the next three months with a shoulder injury, said.

Perhaps the new captain, who they have already landed with the rustic moniker of Seamus, can bring Munster luck. Said Wallace: “Jim has fitted in really well.It is good to have someone who is not away on international duty often as captain, because he can stay with the team all the time. Jim has great credentials for the job and should be a good captain.”

Leicester have been installed as clear favourites to complete an unprecedented Heineken Cup hat-trick this season. The Tigers, who kick off their title

defence against Neath on Friday, are 11/4 with bookmakers William Hill.

Premiership leaders Gloucester are 8/1 fourth favourites with Munster and Leinster bracketed on 6/1.

Heineken Cup odds: 11/4 - Leicester; 6/1 - Munster, Leinster; 8/1 - Gloucester; 10/1 - Toulouse; 16/1 - Northampton, Montferrand, Llanelli; 20/1 - Biarritz, Beziers; 22/1 - Sale Sharks; 25/1 - Neath; 28/1 - Perpignan; 33/1 - Newport, London Irish, Cardiff, Bourgoin; 40/1 - Ulster; 50/1 - Swansea, Edinburgh; 66/1 - Bristol Shoguns; 80/1 - Glasgow; 1,000/1 - Viadana, Calvisano.