The Heineken Cup has always been fiercely contested but the evidence is there after a record breaking opening round to the 16th campaign to suggest the tournament is getting tighter…
European Champions Cup
Wembley up next for the Heineken Cup
The 16th season of the Heineken Cup blasted off in sensational style last weekend, with just two wins on the road in Round 1. Now the challenge for 2009 champions…
Gloucester set for French test
Gloucester Rugby claimed the West Country bragging rights last weekend with a 18-3 Premiership win at Bath Rugby – now head coach Bryan Redpath is plotting success in Europe starting…
Agen happy to be back in the big time
Agen are back on the European stage after a three-year absence – and new signing Valentin Courrent is setting his sights on finally being part of a European title winning…
Raphael Ibanez’s verdict on the newcomers
Three teams will make their Heineken Cup debuts at the weekend with Toulon, last season’s Amlin Challenge Cup finalists, the only one of the trio to enjoy home advantage in…
Treviso and Aironi flying the flag
Marius Goosen is Benetton Treviso’s record points scorer – but now the former outside half is hoping to make his point as the assistant coach of the Italian club embarking…
Glasgow out to make their mark
Scottish teams can point to just one appearance in the Heineken Cup knock-out stages and Glasgow Warriors captain Ali Kellock accepts it is time for the Scots to make their…
London Irish are all the wiser
London Irish have learnt their Heineken Cup lessons the hard way and head coach Toby Booth intends to turn that pain into the Exiles’ gain. The 2008 semi-finalists crashed out…
Toulon ready for Europe
Toulon were one of the “nearly men” of Europe last season – Amlin Challenge Cup finalists and French Championship semi-finalists – and captain Joe van Niekerk believes the Heineken Cup…
CONNACHT STEP INTO UNKNOW – IN MATCH 93
Eric Elwood – Connacht Rugby’s record points scorer – faces his first Amlin Challenge Cup contest as the province’s new coach accepting they know precious little about their Round 1…