Voyce says Wasps will bid to make Heineken Cup history

TOM VOYCE has made no secret of Wasps’ desire to become the most successful English club in Heineken Cup history this season.

If the Londoners maintain their status as kings of Europe – a crown they reclaimed with victory over Leicester in last season’s first all-English final — then it would represent a landmark achievement.

Wasps can emulate Leicester’s feat of 2001 and 2002 by retaining the trophy.

But no English club has won the Heineken Cup three times – that currently remains the sole honour of French giants Toulouse.

And Wasps, winners in 2004 and 2007, will have to achieve it the hard way, having been drawn in this season’s so-called ‘Pool of Death’ alongside Munster, Clermont Auvergne and Llanelli Scarlets.

Voyce and company launch their campaign against 2006 European champions Munster on Saturday, having moved the game from High Wycombe to Coventry’s 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena.

With trips to Wales, France and Ireland ahead between next week and mid-January, they cannot afford to drop points, especially at the first hurdle.

Former England star Voyce said: “It (the Heineken Cup) is our number one target for the season, but it is easier to win the Heineken Cup than to defend it.

“There are so many obstacles for the defending champions, and, as it has only been successfully defended once, that is our target this season, as well as being the first English team to win it three times.

“Leicester have also won it twice and are regarded as one of the real giants of the European game, and we want Wasps to be right up there with those teams.

“But we know just how hard that is going to be as there are probably six teams with the potential to go all the way and win it.”

Munster captain Ronan O’Gara admits the group’s acute degree of difficulty leaves little room for manoeuvre.

He said: “We are in a very difficult pool, and it is one I would have preferred not to have been drawn in.

“It would have been nice to have avoided a couple of these teams at this early stage to allow us to catch our breath, but there is no chance of that.

“We have to be right from day one, and any slip-ups could mean we are under pressure.

“Wasps are a hugely experienced and battle-hardened side with a fantastic record in the competition.

“And I don’t believe for one minute that Wasps would have chosen to take us to the Ricoh Arena if they thought it was going to put their side at a disadvantage.

“They are one of the most professional sides in club rugby, and the venue will not act against them.

“As they showed against us at Lansdowne Road in the 2004 Heineken Cup semi-final (Wasps won 32-27), the composition of the crowd won’t deter them.”