RUGBY:FAMILIAR FOES, sibling rivalry and a personal point or two to prove were just some of the themes to emerge following the draw at the Aviva stadium for a potentially captivating 2012-2013 Heineken Cup tournament that will conclude next year on Saturday, May 18th (5pm). The Amlin Challenge Cup final will take place at the RDS the day before, Friday, May 17th (8pm).
Leinster, the defending champions, will be seeking a historic third successive crown and fourth in all but will find their path barred by a familiar foe in Clermont Auvergne. The two clubs have enjoyed some titanic tussles in both the pool and play-off stages of the tournament, most recently when the Irish province won 19-15 in last season’s semi-final.
Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson all but confirmed that the Aviva stadium, where Leinster have beaten Clermont twice in the past, would host the province’s home game against the French side. He admitted: “I haven’t really thought about it but we will be hoping to play one of those matches in the Aviva stadium and I’d say that our preference at this stage would be to play Clermont in the Aviva; given the recent rivalry and history.
“ a lot of emotional energy wasted between Vern Cotter and Joe Schmidt. It’s really tough, our fourth year playing them. The Scarlets we play on a regular basis and we now have an emotional attachment with Guy’s brother Simon as their new head coach.”
The last statement is a reference to the Easterby brothers, Guy, the Leinster team manager, and Simon, who is the new Scarlets’ coach in succession to Nigel Davies. As luck would have it the two siblings head off together on a stag this weekend. Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs complete Pool 5, a team that’s captained by Tom Hayes, younger brother of former Irish international John.
Last season’s beaten finalists Ulster, who will be under the direction of new coach Mark Anscombe, join Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors and Castres Olympique; a pool from which the Irish province will believe they can extricate themselves.
Two-time champions Munster will also be reasonably optimistic as they jostle with the Michael Bradley coached Edinburgh, Saracens and Racing Metro 92.
Munster forwards’ coach Anthony Foley explained: “Edinburgh demonstrated just what they are capable of by reaching the semi-final last season. They play outstanding rugby and are very difficult to beat at home. Saracens are a tough outfit, very pragmatic in the way they play. They have a strong squad and will recruit well during the summer.”
He admitted that most of the backroom team know a little less about Racing, except the new backs’ coach Simon Mannix. The Parisian club’s director of rugby Pierre Berbizier sacked the former All Black at the end of last year, a decision that didn’t go down well with many of the players.
Foley admitted: “Simon will have plenty of inside knowledge,” and a point to prove.
Connacht coach Eric Elwood will once again pit his wits against a familiar face.
“My initial response is interesting as I spoke to Conor O’Shea this morning and we could have done without Harlequins. I mean that in a nice way as we have played against them quite a bit over the last three or four years and we are playing them again in pre-season this year.
“Still it will be good, they are the current English champions and we know them very well. I don’t think anyone will forget the fantastic atmosphere in the Sportsground back in January and we will be looking for more nights like that.”
