European Cups' Pool Stage Draw - Wednesday 2:30pm

ed7890

Leinster almost have the same group Munster did two years ago, but with a different welsh team.

Fireball07

I'm satisfied


Pretty much the group I wanted, fixture scheduling with the away to Perpignan would be the only worry... could be dangerous. Still, I'd expect at least 4 wins from the outset.

Buer

ed7890 wrote: »

Pretty good draw for Munster

Understatement!



Fantastic draw.

Leinster's is mixed. Don't think it's as bad as some are making out. Castres are losing their coaching team and Kockott. Ospreys aren't the side they were but will be tough. Northampton similar. They're losing players but have signed some quality too. If Leinster can perform, they should top that group. Anything is better than Clermont.

Garseys

So we get an AP Finalist, Ospreys who we are bogey with and the Top 14 champions...

Fecks sake :pac:

Pool 4... Was kind of hoping Connacht would have that pool seeing Harlequins & Clermont at the sportsground.

Skid X

I know it would have been technically impossible to draw them, but I am still relieved that Leinster didn't somehow end up in the same pool as Clermont.

awec

Our draw isn't great.

Buer

[Jackass] wrote: »

Once again Munster get a piss easy draw, Leinster get a nightmare.
.

You must be easily scared.

P_1

Tough pool for Leinster, wonder who'll get the Lansdowne match.
Nightmare pool for Ulster, possibly the pool where only the winner gets to a QF
Reasonably easy pool for Munster it has to be said.
Probably the best pool Connacht could have got, they should have a chance of finishing 3rd in it.
Pool 4, ouch

[Jackass]

French Champions, best Pro12 side outside of tier 1 and a strong English team. Probably the most competetive of all the groups.

I'm still pretty confident of Leinster getting out of that group, but we'll have to win the cup the hard way again. Just lessens the chances of a home quarter too, where as the likes of Munster would have to consider anything less than a walk to the semi-finals a failure. Luck of the draw, eh?

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

Pool 1
Leinster
Northampton
Ospreys
Castres

That's a rotten draw, although I'd still back Leinster.

Pool 2
Toulon
Cardiff
Glasgow
Exeter

Toulon here. I'm happy for Glasgow too, they could make some go of qualifying as a second placed team.

Pool 3
Toulouse
Saracens
Connacht
Zebre

It should be close between Toulouse and Saracens. Connacht will hopefully do the double over Zebre and do well in all home games.

Pool 4
Clermont
Harlequins
Scarlets
Racing

Clermont, Quins and Racing will be tasty. Scarlets are going to get pummeled I fear.

Pool 5
Ulster
Leicester
Montpellier
Treviso

That is a very tough draw for Ulster, tough to call. Montpellier are recruiting a lot in the summer. This could well come down to a team losing in Treviso. I'm gutted for Treviso too, another **** draw.,

Pool 6
Munster
Perpignan
Edinburgh
Gloucester

That's as good a draw as we could hope for. Edinburgh again is like an Italian team based on last season.

So I predict:

Pool 1: Leinster
Pool 2: Toulon + Glasgow
Pool 3: Toulouse
Pool 4: Clermont + Racing
Pool 5: Ulster (very tough to call!)
Pool 6: Munster

Fireball07

For a top seed, I reckon the difficulty of the groups would be 5-4-1-3-2-6

funtime93

Toulon and Toulouse have laughable pools.Toulouse have 20 points in the bag from Connacht and Zebre.

Buer

If Castres hadn't won their last two games, people would think the pool is alright. They're a good side but they're not a European side. Ulster beat them twice this season including an absolute thumping in Ravenhill. They'll put up a tough challenge but Leinster should be able to beat them twice given the personnel they're losing this summer.

Garseys

Oh well if all else fails....

#AmlinisthenewHeino

:pac:

[Jackass]

Yeah, and they're the easiest team in the group....

awec

I think we will have an away QF on our hands at the very best.

Buer

[Jackass] wrote: »

French Champions, best Pro12 side outside of tier 1 and a strong English team. Probably the most competetive of all the groups.

It is on it's arse. Pools 4 and 5 are nightmares.

I don't buy this bogey team stuff. They're a rugby team, nothing more, nothing less. We stuffed them recently. Ospreys won 2 games in their pool this year. Treviso beat them. They're a good side but have lost a rake of players and have now lost Fotuali'i who was by far their most important player.

Castres are a good side that have never done much in Europe. Ulster hockeyed them this year. They're losing their coaching team and their best player.

Northampton are a strong side on their day but again, personnel changes will hurt them. They've lost a lot of depth along with their props. Their depth is poor too. We should be able to do a number on them up front.

awec

I think there's a chance Munster will get through as #1 seeds for the quarters.

Serbian

Swan Curry wrote: »

Munster should be embarrassed if they don't top that group.

In fairness, they limped through their group this year when their second seed finished last with 6 losses. I'd say they'll finish second in their group again.

thomond2006

Kockott may be now staying in Castres following the Top14 final win, the club are in negotiations with him. I'm sure the extra money from the Top14 title will go towards keeping him.

Dubliner28

When are the fixtures & Game weeks generally released ?

thomond2006

Dubliner28 wrote: »

When are the fixtures & Game weeks generally released ?

Last year I booked my trip to Paris in late August, so I assume it will be before then again.

BoarHunter

Where are Biarritz ?

Dubliner28

thomond2006 wrote: »

Last year I booked my trip to Paris in late August, so I assume it will be before then again.

Good lad, away for a few weeks in July-August so want to keep funds for a trip

leakyboots

awec wrote: »

I think there's a chance Munster will get through as #1 seeds for the quarters.

Not a snowballs. Have you looked at Toulon/Toulouse groups?

Perpignan away is a very big ask. I fancy us to top it but we mightn't be guaranteed a home quarter at all.

MolBee

I considered Ulsters draw this season to be relatively handy, only difference for Leinster is Ospreys instead of Glasgow, and Glasgow are a better team than them. Leinster should top their pool. Ulster on the other hand, not so sure. Out of all the English teams I really really didn't want Leicester.

Flincher

Nice to get a relatively soft pool for the second year on the bounce. We had a pretty horrendous run up until then. (Northampton/Castres in 11/12, Toulon/Ospreys and a strong London Irish in 10/11, Perpignan/Northampton in 09/10, Clermont/Wasps/Llanelli in 07/08.

The concern for most teams is that one runner up stop is almost certainly going to come from the pool with Saracens & Toulouse, so that's one runner's up spot gone.

I wouldn't be too worried about Castres from a Leinster point of view. They're nowhere near the best team in France. They were fortunate enough to draw a Clermont team that had mentally imploded from the final, and a Toulon team that was bollixed. They're also losing their coaching team, as well as Joe Tekori, and they have never prioritised Europe.

awec

leakyboots wrote: »

Not a snowballs. Have you looked at Toulon/Toulouse groups?

Perpignan away is a very big ask. I fancy us to top it but we mightn't be guaranteed a home quarter at all.

Between the three home games you should be sitting on 15 points alone.

Not getting a home quarter from that group would be an awful result.

Fireball07

awec wrote: »

Between the three home games you should be sitting on 15 points alone.

Not getting a home quarter from that group would be an awful result.

You think we'll get try bonuses against both Perpignan and Gloucester? Think you're overrating us a bit there.

Buer

leakyboots wrote: »

Not a snowballs. Have you looked at Toulon/Toulouse groups?

Perpignan away is a very big ask. I fancy us to top it but we mightn't be guaranteed a home quarter at all.

I'd be surprised if you guys didn't get a home QF. However, there's part of me thinking that somewhere, the Perpignan and Gloucester fans are also thinking they've a serious chance of qualifying. Not a foregone conclusion, really.

eyeball kid

That's a pretty horrid draw for Ulster. Going to be tricky getting out of that group. An away QF would be a decent acheivement for them.

Leinster in a tricky group but I still think they should top the group.

Munster have a handy enough one. Probably couldn't have asked for a better group.

As for Connacht, at least we have Zebre. We should be looking to get the 2 wins over them and hopefully play well at home against the other two.

leakyboots

awec wrote: »

Between the three home games you should be sitting on 15 points alone.

Not getting a home quarter from that group would be an awful result.

Hmmm, I dunno, bonus point wins against all three other teams? We're not a side who rack up tries, Mannix hasn't delivered thus far at all. I think Keatley could be crucial for us, we looked more dangerous going forward with him at the helm last season. Whatever about him defensively and goalkicking, he looks to run.

I just don't think there's a snowballs of us being top seeds.

Heroditas

awec wrote: »

Between the three home games you should be sitting on 15 points alone.

Not getting a home quarter from that group would be an awful result.

They should get a home quarter alright but get top billing for the q/f?
Unlikely unless both Toulon send out reserves in their last game and Toulouse implode again.

awec

Fair enough, I forgot about / didn't really look much at the Toulouse / Toulon pools. Should look in more detail in future!

But they should definitely get a home quarter.

andrewdcs

So Leinster get French Champs, Strongest non Irish Opposition in Rabo and English finalists.


Gah!

Cue the "No easy groups at this level" from managers while wishing they had Munsters luck!

Larbre34

Tough enough for Leinster but not too concerned. Saints are not what they were and O'Connor will know them better than his children. Agree with those who are saying Leinster to be sole qualifiers out of that group, most likely to an away QF

schools rugby

Munster should get through easily enough , Gloucester and Perpignan not fit for this tournament at all .

Leinster will get through , be difficult to get home QF though

The best Ulster can hope for is 3 home wins and 1 away win , maybe 2.

Munsters group is very poor along with Toulons

dtpc191991

Metro have a tough pool, Sexton will have his work cut out for him. Ulster and Connacht are unlucky. The tigers will be tough and I'd say Tolouse and Sarries is far to much to ask. As a Leinster fan I know that pool is winnable however our losses worry me. Particularly as all three of the others are tough asks as away fixtures.

Heroditas

dtpc191991 wrote: »

Metro have a tough pool, Sexton will have his work cut out for him. Ulster and Connacht are unlucky. The tigers will be tough and I'd say Tolouse and Sarries is far to much to ask. As a Leinster fan I know that pool is winnable however our losses worry me. Particularly as all three of the others are tough asks as away fixtures.

Leinster need to ensure they don't start the campaign away to Castres. If we can get them at home first, we should beat them and they may show zero interest after that.
I know it sounds awfully stereotypical but we've seen it so many times before.

leakyboots

When do the fixtures get announced again? Can never remember

EDIT: Normally mid July, around the 18th

andrewdcs

Flincher wrote: »

I wouldn't be too worried about Castres from a Leinster point of view. They're nowhere near the best team in France. They were fortunate enough to draw a Clermont team that had mentally imploded from the final, and a Toulon team that was bollixed. They're also losing their coaching team, as well as Joe Tekori, and they have never prioritised Europe.

this is very true, Castre have lost the brains trust to Racing... making that a GROUP OF DEATH
!!!!!!!!!!!


DEATH !!!!!

Bridge93

Leinster group isn't too bad it's probably the average one with harder and easier ones than it. Ulster have it all to do. Connacht should get a double over Zebre at least. If munster don't get a home semi it'll be a disappointment, but having said that Perpignan and Gloucester won't be disappointed with getting the easiest of the top seeds. They'll give it a go.

[Jackass]

before the draw, Leinster were 13/2 and Munster were 33/1, now Leinster are out to 7/1 and Munster 20/1(! - amazingly still give them no chance after a canter of a draw) to win it.

Bookies very rarely wrong, but I think 7/1 on Leinster to win Heineken Cup is about as good odds as you're likely to get any time. I'll be taking that thank you very much!

phog

Bridge93 wrote: »

Leinster group isn't too bad it's probably the average one with harder and easier ones than it. Ulster have it all to do. Connacht should get a double over Zebre at least. If munster don't get a home semi it'll be a disappointment, but having said that Perpignan and Gloucester won't be disappointed with getting the easiest of the top seeds. They'll give it a go.

Home semis are not won by right they are the luck of a draw.

[Jackass] wrote: »

before the draw, Leinster were 13/2 and Munster were 33/1, now Leinster are out to 7/1 and Munster 20/1(! - amazingly still give them no chance after a canter of a draw) to win it.

An easier draw can only give you a Qtr/final spot, by the knockout stages most of the best teams will be still around.

totallegend

Bridge93 wrote: »

Leinster group isn't too bad it's probably the average one with harder and easier ones than it. Ulster have it all to do.

Just for a non-partisan opinion on it, French sports newspaper Midi Olympique have dubbed Leinster's draw the 'Pool of Death'

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-d-europe/2012-2013/h-cup-castres-dans-la-poule-de-la-mort-clermont-avec-le-racing_sto3789783/story.shtml

But while Leinster have the toughest group, they should still be the best team in it and so I'd expect them to qualify. A home QF will be a long shot though, and a lot will depend on the schedule of matches.

Quint2010

The FFR withdraw from holding the 2014 finals. Pretty extraordinary news...

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ffr-withdraw-from-hosting-european-finals-1.1420712

sydthebeat

Quint2010 wrote: »

The FFR withdraw from holding the 2014 finals. Pretty extraordinary news...

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ffr-withdraw-from-hosting-european-finals-1.1420712

surely this is too much of a money spinner for a city to just let be passed to some other country???

thomond2006

C'mon IRFU, hop in and take it if at all possible. Although it's unlikely ERC will vote for Ireland to host two consecutive finals. Murrayfield is probably the favourite as they last hosted a final in 2009.

Bridge93

totallegend wrote: »

Just for a non-partisan opinion on it, French sports newspaper Midi Olympique have dubbed Leinster's draw the 'Pool of Death'

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-d-europe/2012-2013/h-cup-castres-dans-la-poule-de-la-mort-clermont-avec-le-racing_sto3789783/story.shtml

But while Leinster have the toughest group, they should still be the best team in it and so I'd expect them to qualify. A home QF will be a long shot though, and a lot will depend on the schedule of matches.

Leinster a group isn't the toughest and that's from a Leinster fan. I'm not saying its in any way easy but there are one if not two harder groups. It looks harder than it is because two of the other teams in it made domestic finals from no where.
Castres are not close to a top French team. As well as they did to win the top 14 they beat a clermont team who's heads weren't in it and a knackered Toulon. They are losing their coaching staff and maybe their best player. Who knows what other players have now been put in the shop window after winning.
The Ospreys are not as good as they were or anywhere close to it. They are also losing their best player like Castres.
Northampton are losing both their props and are a mediocre English team if you look at their team.
Clermont, Harlequins, Scarlets, Metro and their new names is a tougher group. Ulster,Leicester, Montpellier and Treviso is arguably more difficult in terms of qualifying too.

thomond2006

Bridge93 wrote: »

Leinster a group isn't the toughest and that's from a Leinster fan. I'm not saying its in any way easy but there are one if not two harder groups. It looks harder than it is because two of the other teams in it made domestic finals from no where.
Castres are not close to a top French team. As well as they did to win the top 14 they beat a clermont team who's heads weren't in it and a knackered Toulon. They are losing their coaching staff and maybe their best player. Who knows what other players have now been put in the shop window after winning.

It's been confirmed that Kockott will see out the last year of his contract.