The Heineken Cup – the gift that keeps on giving

JACK IN THE PACK
Bernard Jackman
IF we ever doubted about the quality and drama that the Heineken Cup provides us year on year well then this weekend’s first round of pool games demonstrated that it is a better competition to watch than the Rugby World cup or the Six Nations.

In the Heineken Cup nearly every game is ultra competitive and it’s worth noting that no team won a four-try bonus point this weekend which shows that even the pundits expected whipping boys (the Italian Sides) have closed the gap on the frontrunners.

For the Irish provinces it was a very positive weekend as a far as I am concerned. It started with Connacht travelling to London to play Harlequins on Friday night where some bookmakers were giving Connacht a 24 point start. They underestimated how hard Connacht have worked to get to the Heineken Cup having spent 15 seasons underneath the radar in the Challenge Cup.

This Connacht side are a dogged determined bunch and they outscored their hosts by two tries to one but conceded too many penalties and with Quins having a kicker of the quality and accuracy of ex All Black Nick Evans that was always going to be costly. Their performance will have made Toulouse and Gloucester who share their group sit up and take notice and the 10 points that they may have expected to gain from the home and away fixtures won’t look as likely now.

This weekend Connacht face the ultimate test when the Top French team Toulouse travel to the Sportsground. It promises to be a special night in Galway and it’s a real opportunity for Connacht to build a fan base that will secure their future financially long term. Toulouse weren’t impressive in their defeat of Gloucester in France Sunday and that will make them more focused. If Connacht can replicate their defensive effort again this match will be competitive.

The other three provinces can be thankful to their out-halves for playing key roles in their results. David Humphreys younger brother Ian got the match winning try in what was a famous victory at Ravenhill over Clermont. I still fancy Clermont to win the group outright but they will need to play with more passion and desire to do so. Stephen Ferris was the Man of the Match and he continued where he left off at the World Cup with a barnstorming display.

Leinster will be disappointed to have only got the two points against Montpelier away but I firmly believe that they will be crucial at the end of the group stages. Leinster played well and were a little unfortunate that a few uncharacteristic turnovers really cost them. Sean Cronin came off the bench to replace Richardt Strauss and he demonstrated the pace that makes him one of the best ball carrying hookers in the game. His try was a brilliant individual effort and it really swung the momentum in Leinster’s favour in the dying minutes. Leinster turned down a kickable penalty at one stage to kick to the corner and try and win the match, but in the end they were grateful for a last minute penalty which Johnny Sexton calmly slotted.

I can’t see either Bath or Glasgow beating Montepelier in France and the French team won’t beat Leinster in Dublin so Leinster are still in pole position ahead of Glasgow’s visit to the RDS this Sunday.

The game of the weekend was at Thomond Park where Northampton arrived full of belief that they could conquer Munster. The men in Red have only ever lost once at home in the Heineken Cup and they needed every ounce of the European experience that they have in abundance to withstand a brave Northampton effort. I have never witnessed a finish like it at any level of rugby. The fitness, desire, skill and composure that Munster showed to keep the ball for 41 phases of play as they went from Normal time to injury time was incredible.

Denis Leamy carried the ball 10 times in that passage of play alone. That’s more that some players get over 80 minutes. Ronan O’Gara lives for the pressure and he drop goaled it straight between the posts when he was 40 metres out, happy that Northampton wouldn’t be able to block it down. Northampton were out on their feet at that stage and weren’t able to send anyone to pressurize Rog as they were punch drunk with fatigue. This win could and should boost Munster massively and it could break the Saints will. Munster introduced three Heineken Cup debutants in Conor Murray, Peter O’ Mahony and Danny Barnes and it looks like the next generation are made of the same stuff as the old. I can’t wait for this weekend’s action already.

Finally can I congratulate St Mary’s on winning the Wicklow senior Championship in Aughrim on Sunday. They are coached by Mick O’Dwyer’s son Karl and he must be a chip of the old block.