Irish trio have it all to do

LOGIC suggests a mountain climbed should no longer be quite so daunting, but try telling that to the three Irish provinces who will have it all to do to emulate past glories in the Heineken Cup this season.

Less than 18 months have passed since Leinster joined Ulster and Munster in that exclusive winners’ enclosure and, though the format of the tournament hasn’t changed in 11 years, the posts certainly have.

England, without a winner since Wasps in 2007, looks set to launch a challenge with renewed vigour, Ospreys and Cardiff will hope to build on silverware claimed in the Magners League and Amlin Cup respectively and then there is the French.