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Heineken Cup semi-finals preview
DECLAN MURPHY
Roar Guru
24th April, 2014
2
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DECLAN MURPHY
Roar Guru
24th April, 2014
2

This weekend sees two titanic clashes as the last ever Heineken Cup gets down to the final four.

Firstly, Saracens take on Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham (Sat, April 26th at 3.40). Then, on Sunday (April 27th at 3.30), Munster travel to France to take on Toulon, at the Stade Velodrome.

Interestingly, although the ERC considers both Twickenham and the Stade Velodrome to be ‘neutral’ venues, both Saracens and Toulon will have a home advantage.

Saracens vs Clermont

The last time Saracens faced Clermont in the Heineken Cup was at the quarter-final stages in the 2011/12 tournament. Clermont travelled to Saracens’ then-home Vicarage Road, and thrashed the English team, 22-3. Before that, the teams met at the pool stages in the 2010/11, with Clermont winning both games comfortably.

Saracens:

Saracens are currently top of the English Premiership, having won 18 games out of 20 (2 losses). They haven’t been faring quite as well in the Heineken, though, having lost twice to Toulouse in the pool stages (Saracens don’t have a great record against French teams in the Heineken Cup).

Saracens’ poor record in this year’s tournament meant that they were the last team to qualify, which gave them an away match against top-ranked Ulster. Saracens were lucky to beat Ulster 17-15, seeing as the Irish side had only 14 men for almost the entire game.

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Saracens have a very strong side. They have a lot of attacking threats in the back-line, like Chris Ashton (who’s already scored nine tries in this year’s Heineken (the current record is 10 tries in a season), David Strettle, Brad Barritt and Alex Goode (who’s recovered from the knock he got against Ulster).

Saracens also have a strong pack, with players like the Vunipola brothers, Schalk Brits, Matt Stevens, Kelly Brown and Steve Borthwick.

Saracens’ playmaker is Owen Farrell, and he’s matured into one of the best out-halves in the game, certainly in Europe. If he’s on form, Saracens will always have a chance.

Like Clermont, Saracens have never won a Heineken Cup. Unlike Clermont, though, Saracens have never reached a Heineken Cup final. Their best record is been knocked out at the semi-final stages.

Clermont Auvergne

Clermont were beaten in last year’s final by Toulon, in a very close game, 16-15.

It was Clermont’s only final in the Heineken Cup, so far. In the 2011/12 season, they were beaten by eventual winners Leinster in the semi-finals (after thrashing Saracens in the quarters). Clermont topped their pool earlier in this year’s tournament, with their only loss coming against Racing Metro. They then went on to beat Leicester in a very close quarter-final.

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Clermont are currently third in the French Top14 table, with 14 wins from 25 games (a draw and 10 losses). second placed Montpellier have the same record but have won more bonus points so they take the lead. Clermont are coming off a bad, 22-6, loss to Racing Metro.

Clermont have some serious injury problems going into the Heineken Cup semi-final, with their captain (and centre) Auelian Rougerie looking likely to be ruled out of the game after suffering a hamstring injury in the match against Racing. Back-row forwards Fritz Lee and Damien Chouly may also miss the game.

The loss of all three players would be a serious blow to Clermont’s chances of victory and attaining a second consecutive Heineken Cup Final.

Clermont do have a strong side, though, with great players like Lee Byrne, Wesley Fofana and Brock James in the backs. Former New Zealand sensation Sitiveni Sivivatu is also a threat. Saracens’ coach, Mark McCall singled Sivivatu as Clermont’s ‘Dangerman’ and one player Saracens will have to watch very carefully.

The loss of Rougerie is a real blow to Clermont’s chances of victory, but Clermont do have a stronger, more experienced side. Saracens are a much better team than the one that lost so heavily to Clermont back in 2012, but I believe that Clermont may just have the edge in this game.

Verdict: Clermont in a very close game

Munster vs Toulon

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On the Sunday Munster travel to France to face last year’s champions, Toulon. The last time these two teams squared off in the Heineken Cup was in the 2010/11 pool stages, where they each won the home game comfortably (Munster beat Toulon in Thomond Park, 45-18. Then in Stade Felix, Toulon beat Munster, 32-16).

Toulon

Toulon won the Heineken Cup last year, after beating Clermont, 16-15. In this year’s tournament, Toulon won five of their six pool games, the only loss coming against Cardiff. They managed to attain a home quarter-final, where they thrashed Leinster, 29-14.

Toulon are currently first in the French Top14, with 15 wins from 25 games (a draw and nine losses). Toulon are in good form at the moment, with a strong side. They have a number of international stars (Bryan Habana, the Armitage brothers) buoyed by home-grown talent (Mathieu Bastareaud especially, who cut Leinster to pieces in their quarter-final game).

Toulon’s real threat, though, is at fly-half, where they have the choice of English legend, Jonny Wilkinson (who’s been given a clean bill of health, after injury concerns) and French veteran Freddie Michalak. Both players have been able to win games for the team in the past. Wilkinson, especially, is looking for more silverware in his last season of rugby.

Munster

Munster were knocked out of the Heineken Cup at the semi-final stages last year, losing to Clermont. Munster’s record in this year’s Heineken is very similar to Toulon’s record so far. Munster managed to top their pool, despite losing a game (to Edinburgh) and attained a home quarter-final, where they thrashed Toulouse, 47-23.

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Munster are currently second in the Rabo12 tournament, with 15 wins from 20 games (5 losses). Munster have a very strong team full of home grown talent. Simon Zebo and Keith Earls are real attacking threats on the wing, while Conor Murray is a terrific scrum-half.

Munster have a very impressive pack to complement the back-line. Although, Munster have lost Peter O’Mahony, they still have the talismanic Paul O’Connell, who’s in the best form of his life. His second-row partner, Donncha O’Callaghan, is still a force at provincial level.

Munster also have an international flavour, with players like Casey Laulau (who should be able to contain the threat of Bastareaud when they face off in the centre). There’s also South African born, CJ Stander in the pack.

1 player who’s weary of Stander’s influence is Toulon’s Bryan Habana. Both Habana and Stander played for the Blue Bulls side back in South Africa and Habana is well aware of the threat his formerteammate poses. Stander will be eligible to play for Ireland next year, under the three year residency rule. Also, Stander was never capped for South Africa meaning he can play for another international side.

Controversy: ‘Biased Ref’?

On a final note, there’s been a bit of controversy in relation to the official chosen to referee the mach. Wayne Barnes will take control of the game, much to the chagrin of Toulon’s owner, Mourad Boudjellal. Boudjellal apparently believes Barnes to be circumspect.

Boudjellal seems to feel that Barnes was biased against his side in the quarter-final against Leinster. Barnes also refereed the 2012 Amlin Challenge Cup final between Biarritz and Toulon where he awarded seven penalties against Toulon. Boudjellal the penalties awarded against his side were unjust.

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Boudjellal has gotten into trouble in the past for making controversial comments relating to the honesty of referees.

Verdict: Toulon

I believe we may be seeing a repeat of last year’s final as I believe Toulon just have the edge over Munster. Should be two very close games. Can’t wait!

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