Trophies will be much harder to win in the seasons ahead

MY worst fears have been realised.

Last week I speculated on the potential for disaster in the shape of a cruel Heineken Cup draw for the Irish sides and that is what has transpired.

Munster and Leinster have both been handed horror pools while Ulster, despite a lower ranking, received an easier assignment.

Leinster’s draw is especially cruel with newly crowned French champions Clermont Auvergne, Saracens defeated in the last minute of the Guinness Premiership final by Leicester Tigers, and one of the new glamour sides of French rugby in Racing Metro. That is a horrendously difficult pool but at least new Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will have an intimate knowledge of Clermont with whom he was backs coach.

Munster haven’t fared much better. The Ospreys showed their true colours in the latter stages of the Magners League and are a quality side that now appreciates what it takes to deliver silverware. London Irish pushed Leinster all the way in last season’s tournament, winning in the RDS and just losing out to a last ditch drop goal from Jonny Sexton at Twickenham.

Typical of Munster’s luck over the years in European draws the one Tier 4 side they did not want is big spending Toulon.

Not only will Jonny Wilkinson finally get the opportunity of playing in Thomond Park but a familiar foe in Felipe Contepomi will be well able to advise his team-mates of what to expect. Then again with Munster’s former academy prop Timmy Ryan there and former Sale Sharks coach Philippe Saint-Andre at the helm, insider knowledge will not be a problem. It is a very difficult pool.

In the circumstances Ulster will be pleased with their draw with last season’s opponents Bath well known to them and this year’s finalist Biarritz also in the mix. Once again Biarritz have struck gold – the regularity with which they pull an Italian club is incredible and that trend continues with the newly formed Aironi Rugby completing the group.

Irish rugby has had a lot of good fortune in recent seasons but there is evidence to suggest that the tide is turning.

This draw will do nothing to relieve the impression that trophies could become harder to come by in the seasons ahead.