Firstly apologies for the lack of recent posts. It’s been a busy time for all at POB. None more so than Joooooe who popped the question to the future Mrs. Jooooe!
Anyway, Pool 2.
Leinster
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Saracens
Racing Metro
Definitely one of the toughest groups to be drawn (although i’m sure Munster fans will point to Pool 3!).
From a fans perspective i am looking forward to the group. The Clermont support was fantastic at the RDS this year. I have a lot of respect for the way they cheered on their team and was really impressed with their march to the ground from the city centre. According to the forums on Leinsterfans Clermont fans would like to setup a partnership with our fans. Not sure how this would work but i would be happy to do my bit. I’m also sure a certain Mr. Schmidt will be looking forward to the 2 games.
Saracens could provide the opportunity to go to Wembley. Can’t hide my excitement at that prospect. They will also provide 2 pretty tough matches. Their Director of Rugby, Brenden Venter, said “A couple of our group matches may be played at Wembley, and we can all look forward to a couple of fantastic European occasions at the national stadium.
“Leinster are a top European team with plenty of experience, Clermont Auvergne are the current French champions and Racing Metro certainly don’t lack ambition – they will all provide tough opposition home and away. Make no mistake, so will we. It will be a magnificent contest.”
Racing Metro have added Mirco Bergamasco, Juan Hernandez and Nicolas Durand for next season. That’s in addition to Mehrtens, Steyn, Cronje, Nallet and of course the talismatic Chabal. Make no mistake. They will be tough.
It will be a big ask to progress from this group. Probably not the start Schmidt and his new backroom staff would have liked but topping the pool could really help to setup a leagcy for the new team at the helm.
Finally, a big welcome to Heinke van der Merwe, who joins Leinster from the Golden Lions. I don’t know much about the guy but he appears to be a good loose head prop. We will definitely need a strong front row next year especially as Healy will have very limited game time. It does put a slight question over Mike Ross’s future.
For those of you looking for early odds on Leinster in the Heineken Cup we are currently 10-1 with SKYbet. Munster are 7-1 with perennial favourites Toulouse at 4-1.
Other selected teams
Clermont (12-1), Saracens (28-1) and Racing Metro (25-1).
For me Clermont are the best value so far… Let’s reserve judgement (and my euros!) until the final 2010/11 squads are announced.
Points of Blue 
June 9, 2010 at 11:07 am |
Bigger,cheaper,younger and less injury-prone than CJ…and that’s just the future mrs. joooooe!
CJ from baywatch, that is.
I did indeed pop her a question, but as yet she hasn’t confirmed whether she’ll join me on the life-long rollercoaster trip that is being a season ticket holder…or was there another question you were referring to?