Knockout places coming into sharper focus
Following a pulsating first series of back-to-back fixtures, the Heineken Cup action continues this evening with the crucial Round 4 games which as ever will go a long way to determining which clubs qualify for the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club rugby tournament.
The contenders will no doubt be mindful that since the 2009/10 season, every club – bar Leicester Tigers – which has reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals has come out of the back-to-backs with five points or more.
During that four-season period, Leicester’s qualification for the 2010/11 quarter-finals with a total of three points, without winning one of the games, stands out as the exception that proves the back-to-back rule of points accumulation in Rounds 3 and 4.
That year, the two-time champions managed a losing bonus point in Perpignan and then drew 22-22 with the Catalans at Welford Road. After their rollercoaster Pool 5 victory over Montpellier last weekend, Leicester will be looking to repeat the job at Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Sunday.
Montpellier need to win to keep their hopes of a last-eight place alive, as do the likes of Toulouse, Scarlets, Racing Metro 92, Glasgow Warriors, Northampton Saints, Edinburgh Rugby and Perpignan who all suffered defeats in Round 3.
Since the back-to-back concept was instigated in 1999/2000, Toulouse have never failed to win at least one of the games, so following their shock 16-14 defeat by Connacht Rugby at Stade Ernest Wallon, the four-time tournament winners are bound to be smarting when they run out at a packed Sportsground in Galway tomorrow (Saturday) evening.
With this season’s tournament to date generating a total of 1,510 points (at an average of 42 per game) and 147 tries (at an average of four per game), attendances for the season are already at over 490,000, so the half-million mark will be passed this evening.
Big crowds are also on the cards for Saturday and Sunday with up to 45,000 fans expected at the Aviva Stadium where Northampton Saints will be looking to restore some pride after their Round 3 drubbing at the hands of Leinster Rugby.
Eleven of the 12 Heineken Cup matches will be shown live on TV with the competition broadcast in close to 150 territories worldwide.
Meanwhile, for one veteran of the European game, the weekend looks certain to be a milestone. If Peter Stringer comes off the bench for Pool 2 leaders, Bath Rugby, in their Amlin Challenge Cup tie against Mogliano Rugby of Italy at The Recreation Ground tomorrow (Saturday) he will join former Munster Rugby teammates, Ronan O’Gara and John Hayes, in an elite group of players who have made 100 appearances in ERC competitions.
Stringer, who turns 36 today (Friday), has so far made 94 Heineken Cup appearances for Munster and Saracens, and five Amlin Challenge Cup appearances for Munster and Bath.
With Round 4 of the Amlin Challenge Cup already underway, the Heineken Cup kicks off again this evening (Friday) with the Pool 2 meeting of Glasgow Warriors and Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun Stadium, while Ospreys host Castres Olympique in Pool 1 at the Liberty Stadium.
