Cherish what we have

WITH all of the posturing and brinkmanship going on at the moment between the Premiership rugby umbrella in England and the rest of the European participants, we should cherish this Heineken Cup while we have it. With just two seasons left on the existing accord, it is inevitable the current format will be tweaked, if only for the warring factions on all sides to save face. In the meantime, let’s enjoy what we have and concentrate on matters on the pitch.

As Leinster attempt to boldly go where no side has gone before and win a third cup on the trot, the question on the lips of all fans is: who can stop them?

Having emulated the feat of Leicester Tigers as the only side to successfully defend their crown, the prospect of rugby immortality now beckons for the boys in blue. With the final set for their second home at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the odds have shortened considerably. It is, however, a monumental challenge, one that will certainly activate the competitive juices of Brian O’Driscoll, Leo Cullen, Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D’Arcy, not to mention their meticulous coach Joe Schmidt.

The biggest obstacle for Leinster could yet be posed in the pool stage itself. After the crushing defeat in that epic semi-final in Bordeaux last May, Clermont-Auvergne will relish the prospect of taking on Leinster for a fourth season in-a-row and will be thirsting for revenge. Wesley Fofana must still endure nightmares about his failure to ground the ball over the Leinster line in stoppage time in that gripping contest, for had he done so, Clermont would be reigning champions now.

The Scarlets, with their star-studded back line and rebuilt front five, will also pose a serious threat to Leinster in Pool 5 as everyone raises their game to down the colours of Europe’s most consistent and talented side over the last few seasons. Another threat to Leinster’s aspirations is vulnerability in the second row and in the centre, should anything happen to the Brian O’Driscoll/Gordon D’Arcy midfield combination.

They bring so much more to the mix than people appreciate and their telepathic understanding in directing the Leinster defensive effort over the last number of years has been of even greater importance to what they bring to the table in attack.

The acquisition of Brad Thorn for the knockout stages last time out was also an inspired call and he was instrumental in getting Leinster over the line. Leinster’s excellent captain Leo Cullen is finding it increasingly difficult to go the full 80 minutes against the top sides these days and therefore Schmidt has issues to address in the second row (see interview, Pages 4-7). From that perspective, it is a massive year for Devin Toner while Schmidt will also pray that one of their new signings in that department, South African Quinn Roux or former Leeds lock Tom Denton will come good and make a name for themselves.

Should Leinster negotiate a safe passage from Pool 5, it is likely that some new challengers will emerge to threaten their stranglehold of European rugby, with some of the more traditional powerhouses rebuilding at present. Chief among that category are Toulouse and Munster and while you can never write off Guy Noves’ star-studded side, they will have problems trying to extricate themselves from this season’s group of death in Pool 2 where Leicester and the Ospreys lie in wait. It is a while now since the Tigers drank at the top table in Europe but Richard Cockerill has assembled a very well balanced squad, capable of restoring the glory days of 2001 and 2002 to Welford Road when they won back-to-back Heineken Cups.

Munster are well on the road to rebuilding a new side but may lack the strength in depth, specifically in the back row, to go all the way in Europe this season. To that end, they await the arrival of South African CJ Stander from the Blue Bulls with bated breath. Early evidence would suggest that Munster have also chosen wisely in their appointment of Rob Penney but his first year in the job may well prove a learning experience for all concerned.

England have not produced a Heineken Cup winner since Wasps back in 2007 but will look to back up their off field assault on the tournament by producing a winner on it. Apart from Leicester, Harlequins look capable of making the final this season and Conor O’Shea’s squad will have learned much from last year’s campaign when they managed to beat Toulouse in France only to falter at the last hurdle against Connacht in Galway. If their inspirational out half Nick Evans can stay injury free, then Quins could be the surprise package of the season.

Apart from the obvious threat posed by Toulouse and Clermont, the biggest French challenge could come from Toulon. Munster found out to their cost a few seasons ago just how difficult it is to win down there and with so much international quality available to former French coach Bernard Laporte, they will surely make an even bigger impact this time out.

Hopefully, by the time the two finalists arrive in Dublin next May, the wrangling in relation to the future of the tournament will be resolved. The Heineken Cup is the envy of the southern hemisphere and the best thing to happen to rugby this side of the world since the advent of professionalism. To dilute it would be catastrophic for the game in Europe.