Here is the preview of this weekend’s Heineken Cup matches, taking place from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.
Friday 8pm. Pool 1: Leinster (17) v Ospreys (5) and Northampton (13) v Castres (9)
Nothing in this pool is confirmed other than both Ospreys and Castres are out, with the best Castres can hope for is an unlikely second place. If they were to finish second by winning 5-0 on matchpoints, it’s very likely that they will be the sixth best runners up and out of Europe anyway.
For Northampton it’s simple, they need a bonus point win to finish on 18, and hope Leinster get nothing at home to Ospreys.
If they finish on the same number of points, Leinster go through with a better head to head record (5-4). Northampton are still alive in the race for second place, but are relying on other results to go their way.
That game is Saracens v Connacht.
A Saracens win denies Northampton completely. A draw means that Saints on 13 points could give Cardiff a try total to match with a bonus point win.
A win for Saints in this case means that Cardiff can go through with a bonus point win, or if they overhaul Northamptons one try advantage over them.
This case would open the door for Harlequins and Edinburgh to record bonus point victories and leapfrog them, but more on that later.
A Connacht victory with no bonus point puts them in the equation, but due to their disadvantage in the try scoring column it’s unlikely.
A Connacht win with a try bonus means that Northampton have to get a bonus themselves, and score two tries less than Connacht or more. Got that? Me neither.
Leinster will be looking to finish with as many points as possible, in their unlikely bid for a home quarter. They’ll need two of Toulon, Toulouse, Clermont and Munster to slip up for that to happen.
Saturday 1.35 Pool 3: Saracens (15) v Connacht (13) and Zebre (0) v Toulouse (19)
A Toulouse losing bonus point or more confirms them as pool winners. Anything less, and a Saracens bonus point win will see them top. In that case, Toulouse will still be the runner up.
As mentioned before, Saracens v Connacht is the key game of the round. A Saracens win and they are through as runner up. Unless Toulouse get nothing from Zebre, or Ulster pulverise Leicester and Saracens get a bonus point, which lifts them to runners up.
A draw between Connacht and Saracens eliminates Connacht, and opens the door for the other second placed teams, as does a draw with a Saracens try bonus point (18), but Saracens have a significant lead in the try scoring stakes (18).
Connacht can go through with a win, if Northampton fail to win, which they will know already, or if Cardiff lose, which they won’t. Or if Harlequins and Edinburgh fail to get the bonus point, which they won’t know.
A bonus point increases their chances, and allows Northampton to win without a bonus and still have Connacht through. Connacht will already know what Northampton do. Cardiff will need a bonus point win in the game immediately after this one. Everything hinges on this game.
Saturday 3.40 Pool 2: Cardiff (13) v Exeter (8) and Glasgow (10) v Toulon (20)
Toulon will win the group and can be seeded anywhere from first to sixth. A bonus point win means only Ulster or Leicester can beat them, giving them at least a second seed, while a win can allow Clermont and Toulouse a chance to overhaul them, but would still give them fourth seed and a home quarter final.
Anything less and Munster and Leinster have a chance to drop them down to an away quarter final.
Glasgow have no chance of finishing as one of the two best quarter finalists, but a win can secure them an Amlin Cup quarter final.
Cardiff will already know what’s at stage having watched Connacht and Northampton. Their scenarios have been discussed thoroughly already, Exeter are already free in April and May.
Saturday 6pm Pool 6: Leicester (20) v Ulster (22) and Montpeiller v Treviso
Both Montpeiller and Treviso are out of everything.
The winner at Welford Road will be hosting a quarter final with the loser as one of the two runners up.
Leicester win, and Ulster are seventh seeds. Leicester could be anywhere from first to fourth seeds. A bonus point win for Leicester guarantees them one of the top two seeds.
Ulster win, Leicester are seventh or eighth depending only on Saracens, with Ulster definitely first seeds.
Draw sees Ulster with a home quarter, first to fourth, and Leicester are definite seventh seeds.
An unlikely Leicester win with two Ulster bonus points is the same as a draw.
Sunday 12.45pm Pool 6: Munster (18) v Edinburgh (12) and Perpignan (7) v Gloucester (9)
Perpignan are out and cannot make the Amlin quarters either. A win for Gloucester and a loss for Edinburgh keeps them in the hunt for an Amlin spot, but it will be unlikely.
They will already know if Northampton, Cardiff, Saracens and Connacht have a spot, and will be posting a target for Harlequins for the last spot. Quins will not need much to overhaul them.
Munster will be hoping for a slip-up from Toulon, Toulouse or Clermont, and are first in line to benefit with a home quarter final. A bonus point win aids them, and they will already know if thats enough to beat Toulouse or Toulon. Clermont play the following game and will know what they need to go ahead of Munster.
Edinburgh are in the hunt for a second place, as long as Saracens slip up and Connacht, Northampton and Cardiff don’t get try bonus points. If any of them win, they need a bonus point and to score more tries than all of those and Harlequins
Sunday 3pm Pool 4: Scarlets (10) v Harlequins (12) and Clermont (19) v Racing (7)
Racing are out of everything.
Scarlets could be out of everything at this stage, but there is a small chance that a win gets them into the Amlin quarters.
Harlequins need Saracens to slip up and Connacht, Northampton and Cardiff don’t get try bonus points. If any of them win, they need a bonus point and to score more tries than all of those and Edinburgh.
Most likely result:
1. Toulouse v Saracens
2. Toulon v Ulster
3. Leicester v Leinster
4. Clermont v Munster
Harry Jones
Guest
Stuart Barnes: 'There is one obvious reason Ulster are contenders for this year’s European Cup. His name is Ruan Pienaar. The Natal-born scrumhalf gave a 24-carat display in steering Ulster to victory at Welford Road with a supreme show of goal-kicking, tactical acumen and persistent pressure without the ball. Pienaar, like all good Springbok scrumhalves, has a brilliant box-kicking game and he has a willing set of chasers. He also has the vision and heft to strike 70m diagonals at will ... When Pienaar puts the ball in the air his team generally have a 50% chance of regaining it. Ulster are not the prettiest team but in Pienaar they have a world-class player at the peak of his game, and what they lack in beauty they make up in intellect and spirit. Saracens should beware.'
Harry Jones
Guest
I've always said Ruan Pienaar is under appreciated; he is a rock solid sub, and at his best, shows the full range of old school footballing skills. He definitely belongs in the Bok squad. But it is funny to call him inventive and creative.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Come on guys. Pienaar is an excellent tactical player that is a member of the 2nd best team on the planet. He is obviously good. Last week he was MOTM in his H cup game and was excellent. This is just another guy who is hated by his own country but respected greatly by his opposition.
Harry Jones
Guest
What's your brand of humour?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Yeah hahaha he tehee. He was MOTM last week.
jason8
Guest
Hahahaha i almost couldnt stop laughing when you mentioned Ruan 'the handbrake / two step' Pienaar as "magically inventive" - boet you missed your calling you sure know how to deliver a joke dry as the kalahari. Euro endeavors dont add up to much in my mind not if you plan to beat the best.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Im not sure its possible but Id like to see a Saries vs Clermont final with the Saries taking it. Im just a big fan of the Vunipolas.
Harry Jones
Expert
Toulouse to best Sarries. Ulster to beat Toulon on the back of a magically inventive and creative Ruan Pienaar. Leinster beats Leicester. Munster is manic and aggressive and defeats Clermont.
Shop
Guest
That is a lot of ifs and buts BHH. I think I might just watch the games that are televised in my region and work it out afterwards.
Ball Handling Hooker
Roar Rookie
Best to say that that is reposted from my blog, and as such all times mentioned are in GMT.