Connacht look to have their best chance of ever qualifying for the Heineken Cup knockout stages in Pool Three, while Ulster have a hell of a job on their hands in a tough-looking Pool Four.
Pool Three
Teams: Biarritz, Harlequins, Connacht, Zebre
Top Dogs: Harlequins
They’re the reigning Aviva Premiership champions, they’ve been in pretty good nick domestically so far this season and only a heroic and historic Connacht victory at the Sportsground prevented them from making the knockout stages last season.
The final game in the pool when they travel to France to take on Biarritz could decide who claims top spot in this pool, but we’re backing Conor O’Shea’s side to come out on top and to have a pretty big impact on the competition overall this season.
Whipping Boys: Zebre
It was always going to be hard for the Italian minnows in their first season in existence, but their record in the Rabo 12 so far – five straight losses and a points difference of -96 so far – suggests that they’re going to be in for a rude awakening in their first Heineken Cup outing.
Star Man: Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz)
One of the fastest men in world rugby, the USA international destroyed Ospreys with a hat-trick of tries last season and has embarrassed some of the biggest names in world rugby in the past, such as Bryan Habana at the 2007 World Cup.
How in the hell is one supposed to catch up with him if the man who once outran a cheetah can’t?
Lion-in-wait: Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Already a skipper for club and country, Robshaw is being touted as Sam Warburton’s main challenger for the Lions captaincy next summer. He might just about lose out on that score, but barring injury or a dramatic loss of form, he seems a shoo-in to be on the plane.
The Jerry Flannery/Ellen DeGeneres doppelganger of the pool award: A heavily bearded John Muldoon/A Yeti
Bigfoot hunters would have been forgiven for concentrating their efforts around the Galway region last winter when Connacht and Ireland back-row John Muldoon let his facial hair spiral wildly out of control, obviously in anticipation of a repeat of the harsh cold snap that had gripped Ireland in 2010 and 2011. Can we expect some similar trendy facial fluff this time around? Time to start growing now John.
Pool Four
Teams: Castres, Glasgow, Northampton, Ulster
Top Dogs: Ulster
Only just, mind. Mark Anscombe’s men have been flying in the Rabo 12 to date, but all of their pool opponents have started their domestic campaigns well and the Heineken Cup is a completely different kettle of fish.
None of the away days in this group look particularly appetising and with that in mind, losing bonus points away from home could be a decisive factor and Ulster will hope to have plenty of points on board before they make the trip to Franklin’s Gardens three games in.
Castres and Glasgow aren’t exactly easy opposition but Northampton and Ulster would appear to be in positions of greater strength and a lot will depend on the outcome of their back-to-back encounters over two weekends in early December.
Whipping Boys: Castres
Hard one to call, but Glasgow finished second behind Leinster in the pool last season and despite losing as influential a player as Richie Gray, they have started well in the PRO12 this time around and we think they’ll pip the French side to third spot.
Star Man: Stephen Ferris (Ulster)
Determined to make up for his injury-affected Lions experience in 2009, Ferris has gone on record about his determination to make a big impact this season. If he can stay fit, he could be the most important player in a white and green jersey this year and maybe even in a red one by the time the summer rolls around.
Lion-in-wait: Courtney Lawes (Northampton)
He’s had a really tough year with injuries and can be a bit of a loose cannon at times, but his mobility, size, dynamism and ability to fill in a few positions should ensure he’ll be part of Warren Gatland’s plans.
The Jerry Flannery/Ellen DeGeneres doppelganger of the pool award:
It’s not just the hair and the youthful looks that Paddy Jackson and Eoin McLove have in common, apparently Paddy also shares Eoin’s grá for cake jumpers. (Hat-tip to the Boards.ie rugby lookalike thread for their help with this one).
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