Kicking-off later than usual in the midst of a World Cup hangover, the European Champions Cup offers a reviving antidote to the absence of the all-you-can-eat rugby feast of the last two months. It commences tonight in Pool Four under the lights at Welford Road as Leicester Tigers welcome defending Top 14 champions, Stade Français, who end their five-year hiatus from the tournament.
Pool 1
Oyonnax Rugby
Saracens
Toulouse
Ulster
Team to watch: Saracens
The London club comes into the tournament unbeaten in the Aviva Premiership thus far and although they occupy a pool containing two other European giants in Toulouse (four time winners and two time runners-up) and Ulster (once winners, once runners-up), Saracens are favourites to top this group. They will also face newcomers, Oyonnax, whose form has been poor this season, as they sit 13th in the Top 14. Therefore with nine points on offer against Oyonnax, should Saracens defeat Toulouse and Ulster at home, they will then have to beat one of those sides on the road, a feat not too inconceivable considering their superb away form. Their squad boasts big-match players who step up in away games and always seem to deliver; a fact backed up by their attritional victory over Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend.
Player to watch: Maro Itoje
The young Saracens forward seems to grow in stature with every passing minute of rugby. Only a year and a half ago, the former England U17 shot-putter was captaining England Rugby U20s to victory in the Junior World Championship. Now he is a mainstay in the most physical and powerful pack in the Premiership and an England debut is just around the corner. Expect to see him flourish this weekend in the opener against Toulouse.
Pool 2
Bordeaux-Begles
Clermont Auvergne
Exeter Chiefs
Ospreys
Team to watch: Exeter Chiefs
Yes, Clermont are outright favourites for this pool and could well win all but one of their matches in this campaign, however, Rob Baxter’s Chiefs have a real opportunity to escape this pool and make club history. They boast some of the finest youngsters in England and a handful from other European nations too, but much has been written of those players. This season they have become a more well-balanced side by adding some classy experience to their ranks, too. Julian Salvi and Geoff Parling have arrived from Leicester, Michele Campagnaro from Treviso, adding to seasoned internationals Thomas Waldrom, Tom Johnson and Ian Whitten. This experience will be very handy both for the development of the young stars, and for their team’s chances in the European campaign.
Player to watch: Camille Lopez
A player who appeared to cave under the pressure of last year’s final, Clermont fly-half Lopez has been handed the jersey ahead of Brock James. Lopez also was disappointingly dropped from the France World Cup squad so the 26-year old has much to prove. Furthermore he will come up against former teammates and former coach, Raphael Ibanez, when Clermont face Bordeaux on Sunday. Lopez was instrumental in his team’s journey to Twickenham last season and the Clermont faithful will be hoping he can take them one step further this season.
Pool 3
Glasgow Warriors
Northampton Saints
Racing 92
Scarlets
Team to watch: Glasgow Warriors
With a squad containing most of Scotland’s nearly men of the World Cup and the excellent Leone Nakarawa in the second-row, Glasgow finally have the capability to challenge properly on the European stage. Last year they fell just short of the quarter-finals after ultimately being outclassed by Bath. However they have been drawn into a difficult pool, arguably the second toughest, meaning they will have to be at the top of their game to emerge as pool winners. The pool could swing any which way – every side could blow hot or cold. Northampton are in a patch of poor form, Racing 92 have a whole host of new signings who need to gel quickly, and the Scarlets, although they are 3rd in the Pro12, have a poor European record. This pool is there for the taking for the Warriors.
Player to watch: Dan Carter
Who else? World Rugby Player of the Year, World Rugby Player of the Tournament at the World Cup and arguably the best fly-half to ever grace the field, Carter has decided to have another go at winning the European Cup (and filling his pockets, too!). Although he has been given a rest period after the World Cup, Carter may appear in the blue of Racing 92 in the third and fourth rounds of the Champions Cup in December. Hopefully for him, his new side will still have a shot of qualification. For now though, France international Remi Tales will keep the ten jersey warm for him.
Pool 4
Benneton Treviso
Leicester Tigers
Munster
Stade Français
Team to watch: Benneton Treviso
An odd choice you may think but here’s the reason: this week Will Greenwood has called for a change in the ruling so that no Italian teams play in the Champions Cup (unless they finish in the top six of the Pro12, i.e. unless they have earned it). They face the three giants of Europe, who will all be seeking a return to the era when they were the teams to beat. If Treviso can prove that they deserve to be in Europe by defeating one or more of these sides, then they may survive the cull for another year. If they continue their demise in Europe, then Will Greenwood’s wishes may become reality.
Player to watch: CJ Stander
Munster’s skipper, after the retirement of Paul O’Connell and in the absence of Peter O’Mahony, Stander is a fan favourite at Thomond Park and will have to lead from the front to pull his side out of this difficult pool. This Munster side is worlds away from the one which dominated Europe, but after coming 2nd in the Pro12 last year and currently occupying that same position this season, the future looks bright for the men in red. Stander’s contribution will be prevalent as usual, with his trademark ball carrying ability and work rate making him a joy to watch.
Pool 5
Bath
Leinster
Toulon
Wasps
Team to watch: Toulon
Pool five is without doubt the Pool of Death, containing clubs who boast nine European Cups between them, and Toulon are the pick of the bunch. They are the only side to ever win three in a row and they have arguably the strongest squad, on paper, to ever be fielded in this tournament. They’ve added the likes of Duane Vermuelen, Samu Manoa, Paul O’Connell, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Ma’a Nonu to a side which is already all-conquering. They are the team to beat and they have the opportunity and realistic ambition of winning all their matches in this pool – what a statement that would be.
Player to watch: Isa Nacewa
After a two year absence from the RDS, Leinster legend Nacewa returns, as captain. He was the spark at fullback who could flip a match on its head, and without him, Leinster stopped winning European titles. His experience and craft will be of the highest importance, especially after the summer of transition which has seen his former teammate Leo Cullen take charge. With the new captain and the new coach picked from the same winning tree, Leinster could be the ones to knock Toulon off their very high horse.
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