– 07 October 2013
The demands for a major assault on the Heineken Cup from the Irish clubs have never been more pressing.
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The challenge to the future of the competition from the warmongers amongst the top clubs in England and France makes it imperative that Ireland reaffirm their right to be included amongst the best in Europe.
Their record of success established their entitlement to share in a concept to which they committed totally from the beginning. This season they must illustrate the fact that any competition not involving Irish provinces cannot have international credibility.
If they are to do so, each of the four sides must show the ability to adapt to radically changed circumstances. New coaches in charge of Leinster and Connacht represent a major change at the top, while Ulster and Munster must respond to critical changes in playing personnel.
Connacht and Leinster are the two teams who have undergone the most basic changes in their set-up with new coaches in charge – Pat Lam in Connacht and Matt O’Connor in Leinster.
They, in addition to Rob Penney in Munster and Mark Anscombe in Ulster, will undoubtedly take encouragement from the success of New Zealander Joe Schmidt with Leinster during his three seasons with a return of two Heineken Cups, an Amlin Challenge Cup and a Pro12 title.
SUPERIOR
What is more concerning is the challenge that exists to the future of the professional game in this country and in the other Celtic nations and Italy.
The Lions recorded an encouraging series win over Australia in June but, notwithstanding that, the quality of rugby played in the southern hemisphere is routinely adjudged superior to the game in these islands.
That perceived superiority may be exaggerated due to the pre-eminence of New Zealand, but there is no disputing that Ireland and the game in Europe can only be improved by a continuing vibrant Six Nations and, crucially, Heineken Cup.
If the Heineken Cup goes there is a very real possibility, according to the IRFU’s Phillip Browne, the international game will eventually go with it.
Mercifully all the rugby unions, with the predictable exception of England’s RFU, have in some meaningful way poured cold water on the proposed ‘Rugby Champions Cup’ as envisaged by the Premiership clubs in England.
There remains, however, concern for the future of the foremost club competition on this side of the world. The apprehension stems from the tug-of-war between the English and French clubs and the unions for control of the major investment in the game from TV companies.
The struggle for control of the purse strings reflects the same battle that is fought on a continuous basis in soccer.
The many changes and versions of the Champions League competition over the years reflected the stresses within the organisations and the efforts of the football administrators to retain some level of control of the game’s finances. The millionaire club owners called the shots to a great extent and as a result the English Premier League now is administered by the football clubs, with the Football Association maintaining a secondary role.
Initially the associations pushed the development of inter-club competition in Europe through the European Cup of Champions … the European Cup as it became popularly known.
The growth in popularity of the European competitions and growing competition between the many TV companies for the rights to the matches led to a huge increase in the money being poured into the game.
The result was that the club owners sought an increasing share of that money and the competitions were refined and reconstituted to satisfy their demands for more and more money from TV coverage.
As a result the weaker countries’ involvement was reduced and the championship winning clubs from those countries now have to go through preliminary rounds to join the major clubs in the competition proper.
All of this underlines how important it is for the rugby unions to reach an accommodation with the clubs in England and France, otherwise they will lose all element of control and also the income that derives from the hugely lucrative European competition.
It is unconscionable that the bullies from the Premiership and the Top 14 will get their way and it is to be hoped a compromise will be reached that takes into account some of the demands of the French and English clubs.
Whatever the outcome of the meetings and on-going mediations, the more immediate challenge for the Irish in this year’s competition is qualifying from their pools.
All four teams are in exceedingly tough pools. Leinster have the toughest assignment, which isn’t made easier by virtue of having to travel to play Ospreys in their first outing. Following that is the visit of Castres to the RDS.
Both assignments are fraught with danger. Castres are hovering mid-table in the Top 14 but their recent scalping of Racing Metro will surely have infused them with confidence.
Ulster must contend with a Montpellier side who put a whopping 43 points on Clermont last month and also have Leicester Tigers for company in Pool 5.
It is, however, easy to make a case that Ulster will prove the most influential of Ireland’s four teams this season even if it is Leinster who are the Irish bookies’ favourites.
First you need only reflect on their experiences of last season. They made the quarter-finals of the competition.
Defeat in the final of the Pro12 last season to Leinster was a huge disappointment but there were many highlights nonetheless. They topped a highly competitive pool in the Heineken Cup and made a significant breakthrough by winning in France for the first time.
Ulster’s form in the early part of this season has not been as impressive as last but they have been operating at less than full strength. When they have their full complement to call on they will be a more formidable side.
The other three teams have all had to prepare by plugging sizeable gaps left by some extraordinarily talented players. Leinster have lost Jonathan Sexton and Isa Nacewa, and Munster their inspirational out-half Ronan O’Gara. Connacht said goodbye to their only Irish international from last season’s Six Nations, Mike McCarthy.
Lam’s recruitment has been impressive but we have yet to see enough evidence that Craig Clarke and Jake Heeven will be able to upset the odds and inspire the team to escape from a group that contains Toulouse and the soulless Saracens. All of this supports the view that, if they can find their rhythm, it is Ulster who are likely to set the pace while the others thresh about, absorbing some newcomers into their plans while searching for a balanced team.
It is worth considering also that this will be a final chance for this group of Ulster players to etch their achievements on the plinth of a trophy before they also undergo major change.
If the reports are to be believed Ruan Pienaar will be a Toulon player next season. It is also possible Johann Muller will also seek a new challenge.
Ulster were boosted last week when Nick Williams signed a new two-year contract but the call of home is likely to see John Afoa set sail for New Zealand. The team that has gone so close to silverware in the last two seasons is breaking up. That is a very motivating element.
The rapidly developing new stadium at Ravenhill also feeds into the growing enthusiasm for this team and, with capacity eventually lifted to 18,200, there will be no shortage of atmosphere to inspire the boys in white.
It seems as if it only remains for their youthful out-half Paddy Jackson to fulfil the potential he showed at underage level for Ulster to confirm that this squad is, indeed, a full package and ready to deliver.
Irish teams have won the Heineken Cup an impressive six times. The odds are long that one will be able to add to that number but, if the victor is not to come from France, who’d bet against another Irish success?
Article source: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/british-and-irish-lions-v-queensland-reds-player-ratings-8650576.html
Ulster lead Irish charge in defining campaign
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