Rugby Betting
Heineken Cup Betting
After a slow start, the Heineken Cup has now become the competition to win in world club rugby. Featuring the cream of European rugby talent the competition is now in its fifteenth season and the twenty four sides start their campaign this weekend on the long road to the Stade de France in May 2010.
Teams from Ireland, England and France have dominated the tournament over recent years and Leinster go into this season’s Cup as reigning champions after their 19-16 win over Leicester Tigers last May. The Irish holders have been drawn in a tough group this time around with the Scarlets, Brive and London Irish in Pool Six.
Leinster’s defence carried them to the Cup last season and they had some stand out individuals including their mercurial number 10 Jonathan Sexton. It is very tough to win the Heineken Cup back to back (only Leicester have achieved that) and with no element of surprise I think it could be tough for the Magners League leaders. They also have the issue of re-integrating their Lions back into the side with only a couple of games under their belt and with an opening match against the irrepressible London Irish they might find themselves playing catch-up before they notice it.
It is always foolish to bet against the might of Munster in European competition although the 2006 and 2008 winners haven’t made the best start to the season. They are the 4/1 favourites to take the title and having been drawn in Pool One with Northampton, Perpignan and Treviso. I expect them to qualify for the knockout stages. Whether they can go all the way this season is another matter.
The two Scottish teams in the Cup also have a great chance of progressing from the groups having been drawn alongside teams they will feel they have a chance against. Glasgow face Gloucester, Biarritz and the Dragons in Pool Two and if they can win their home matches they should have a great chance. Edinburgh face Bath, Stade Francais and an Ulster side they have already beaten in the Magners League and with Blair Godman at half back they have a strong looking side.
Looking at this season’s competition, it is hard to look past the strong French challenge. The Top 14 is probably the strongest club league in Europe at the moment and the French representatives in this year’s Heineken Cup - Brive, Perpignan, Toulouse, Clermont, Biarritz and Stade Francais - are all strong sides. The influx of high quality British players has resulted in much more strength in depth for the French sides and I fancy Clermont Auvergne to lead the French challenge at 10/1.
As regards the British challenge, Leicester are never far away when trophies are handed out at the end of the season. Last year’s beaten finalists go into this tournament with nine centrally contracted English players and whilst they are eligible for the Heineken Cup, integrating them on an ad hoc basis as these matches come around might be tricky.
Northampton won the Challenge Cup last season and so have some recent European experience. They have made steady progress under Jim Mallender and if they can get off to a decent start they may be a dark horse. They do have to get past both Perpignan and Munster in their group, however.
London Irish have made a great start to the season under Toby Booth and their opening tie against Leinster will set the tone for their campaign. A good win will give them great confidence and I have high hopes for the Exiles in this Cup at 16/1.
The two occasions the final has been held in France have resulted in English wins over French opposition. I think this season’s tournament will be won by a ‘home’ side and whilst it would be a home tie for Stade Francais I think Clermont Auvergne will face Munster in May’s final.
