Focus Back On The Heineken Cup

The focus switches from Celtic League to Heineken Cup next weekend with Munster and Ulster at home while Leinster travel to the south of France for their clash with Montferrand. Of the three, Munster have the easiest task against an Italian outfit who have conceded 126 points in their two games so far.

With home advantage and following on from their morale-boosting win in Glasgow, Ulster will fancy their chances in Ravenhill against a Biarritz side whose opening wins in the competition include a victory in Cardiff but the French will find the trip to Belfast an altogether different proposition.

Leinster’s Heineken Cup campaign could be decided on Saturday in France where they play Montferrand. A win for Leinster wouldn’t necessarily end other side’s interest in the pool because Swansea’s inclusion means that two sides can qualify from this section, but what it would do for Leinster’s confidence would be enormous. Winning in France is something they have never managed and if they could achieve this milestone it would constitute a huge step towards the Lansdowne Road final.