McGrath credits Millar with saving Cup
At the Irish launch of the competition in Dublin yesterday, McGrath said the IRB chairman had used his considerable experience and bargaining powers to bring English and French clubs back from the brink of withdrawing from the tournament.
“I think we have to give due acknowledgement to Sid, who has been associated with many positive things in the game over the years. He was instrumental in bringing our difficulties to a head and getting everyone around the table. His role was incredibly important,” McGrath said.
He also revealed that more than 13,000 tickets had already been sold for the final at the Millennium Stadium at the end of May.
“I think that’s a phenomenal response at a time when a ball hasn’t yet been kicked.”
McGrath said there would be some changes to this season’s competition. For instance, there will be a citing commissioner at every match not just in the televised matches.
“That is being done to ensure a uniformity of decisions for all. We have also, for the first time, gathered all of the referees together to impress on them the necessity for similar uniformity apart from disciplinary issues.”
Munster coach Declan Kidney has admitted his side face a huge challenge in a pool that includes holders Wasps, Llanelli and the cash-rich Clermont Auvergne.
Reminded that Munster made it to the final of the last two Heineken Cup games to be held in Cardiff, he quipped: “It’s also the 13th year of the competition, so that mightn’t be a good omen.”
However, Kidney is looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a very special competition and it has played a big part in our lives over the last 12 years, particularly in the last six or seven down in Munster.”
First Munster play Wasps away this weekend, and Kidney said his side wouldn’t be under any false illusions.
“They’re the reigning champions and I reckon that pretty much sums up what kind of difficulty we face. Their morale will also be very high after a win over Gloucester last weekend when they had to come back from almost 20 points down. They’re coming right at the right time, it would appear.”
Anthony Foley, standing in for injured skipper Paul O’Connell, isn’t unduly worried at having to play away from home at the Ricoh Stadium.
Wasps moved the game from home ground High Wycombe to accommodate the bigger crowd — and financial guarantees — that Munster fans generally bring.
“A pitch is a pitch; I don’t think at this stage that we’re worried too much where we play,” said Foley.
“I think there will be plenty of support for Munster at the weekend.”
It’s all systems go for Leinster as well, as they meet Leicester Tigers at the RDS, and coach Michael Cheika is conscious that Leicester will provide stern competition.
“It’s a tough one for sure, but this is European competition and you’ve got to play against the best teams to learn more about yourselves,” said Cheika.
“I think that Munster and Ulster got tough draws as well. It’s up to us all to rise to the challenge.
“We’ve all got to believe we can win because that’s the way to go. If you believe, you’re almost bound to come a lot closer to winning than just hoping.”
Ireland’s World Cup captain Brian O’Driscoll admitted: “We just have to put that experience behind us. It was disappointing, it wasn’t nice, but it’s over now and a new competition brings fresh hope for all of us.
“The Heineken Cup, this side of the world, is about as close as you can get to international rugby, so we have a platform again.”
Ulster defence coach Neil Kelly admitted that his side would have to pull out a special performance to get their campaign off to a strong start against Gloucester.
“Our priority must be to stop them on the gain line and we haven’t done that in some of our recent games. I suppose it’s in our favour that people don’t quite expect much from us at the moment, so we’ve got to use that situation to our advantage.”
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