With the Heineken Cup looming large on the horizon, we take a closer look at each group. Next up, Pool Five.
LEINSTER
Coach: Joe Schmidt
Captain: Leo Cullen
Best finish: Winners in 2009, 2011 and 2012
Key signing: Quinn Roux
Player to watch: Rob Kearney
Pool odds: 8/11
CLERMONT
Coach: Vern Cotter
Captain: Aurelien Rougerie
Best finish:Semi-finals in 2012
Key signing: Napolioni Nalaga
Player to watch: Wesley Fofana
Pool odds:13/8
SCARLETS
Coach: Simon Easterby
Captain: Rob McCusker
Best finish: Semi-finalists in 2000, 2002 and 2007
Key signing: Tomas Vallejos
Player to watch: Jonathan Davies
Pool odds:9/1
EXETER
Director of rugby: Rob Baxter
Captain: Tommy Hayes
Best finish: Maiden campaign
Key signing: Dean Mumm
Player to watch: Tom Johnson
Pool odds: 20/1
How we see it: Once again, title contenders Leinster and Clermont themselves lumped together in very tough pool. It's fourth successive Heineken tournament they meet either at the pool or knockout stages. We've seen some epic battles between the blues and yellows over the years - including a nail-biting semi-final last April - and this season should be no different as former Clermont boss Joe Schmidt attempts to mastermind a remarkable fourth Heineken Cup title in five years for the Irish giants, who are the bookmakers' favourites to retain their crown. Scarlets, aren't looking bad either, as illustrated by their 45-20 win over a second-string Leinster side on the opening day of the Pro12 season. Tournament debutants Exeter could bruise an ego or two on home soil but probably don't have the depth to compete on two front and are likely to focus their attention on the Premiership by they time we reach the latter rounds.
Key fixture(s) in Pool: The back-to-back fixtures between Leinster and Clermont in Rounds Three and Four are likely to decide who finishes top. Since the French side have not lost at home, in any competition, in three years a victory in the Auvergne will be a major achivement, so les Jaunards' visit to Dublin on December 15 is set to be humdinger. If Clermont can't pick up any points in the Irish capital, the could find themselves under prressure for their trip to Parc y Scarlets on the last day.
Prediction: 1 Leinster, 2 Clermont, 3 Scarlets, 4 Exeter
Fixtures:
13 Oct: Leinster v Chiefs
13 Oct: Clermont v Scarlets
20 Oct: Scarlets v Leinster
20 Oct: Chiefs v Clermont
8 Dec: Scarlets v Chiefs
9 Dec: Clermont v Leinster
15 Dec: Chiefs v Scarlets
15 Dec: Leinster v Clermont
11/12/13 Jan: Clermont v Chiefs
11/12/13 Jan: Leinster v Scarlets
18/19/20 Jan: Chiefs v Leinster
18/19/20 Jan: Scarlets v Clermont
Comments
lardon says...
Thats fine.. Count Exeter out at your own peril..
Posted 16:23 11th October 2012
papachinzo says...
The double weekend clash between Leinster and Clermont is going to be EPIC !!
In my opinion, the last three tests between the sides were way above International standard.
On current form and with the amount of injuries they have, I don't think Leinster will do it this season. Then again, the boys in blue always start off slow...
Posted 11:16 11th October 2012
leinster_goy says...
its unlikely that the scarlets will get out of this group (good backs, but a weak pack) but by the end they could well be the king-makers. i can see them knocking out clermont on the very last matchday...that said, we have to go to parc y scarlets ourselves in two weeks time and get a result. it won't be easy
i reckon clermont's much-vaunted invincibility at home is slowly crumbling. so far this season, fortress marcel michelin has very very nearly been breached by racing metro and stade francais. certainly not beyond Leinster to get a win there, provided that our injuriy problems ease
Posted 10:44 11th October 2012