Ulster, Leinster and Munster all face demanding assignments as outlined in the European Cup draw unveiled yesterday. European Rugby Cup Limited (ERC) certainly won't quibble with the host of attractive fixtures thrown up by the draw in what promises to be a very entertaining tournament.
A record 24 teams will take part, divided into six Pools of four, with the winners and the best two second placed teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. European champions Ulster find themselves grouped with French side Bourgoin, Wasps and Llanelli. Bourgoin were runners-up in the Shield competition last season and beaten into second place in the French championships. Wasps won the cup in England while Llanelli - cup and league winners in Wales - reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup last season, edging out Leinster in the process.
Ulster's magnificent achievement, culminating in a memorable final win over Colomiers, ensures that they will be targeted by all opponents, a fact which coach Harry Williams acknowledges. "We are no longer the surprise packets and teams will want to beat us. The draw is not too bad, it gives us a fighting chance.
"It's always difficult to go to France, so Bourgoin will be tough. Llanelli have strengthened their squad, while Wasps are very strong." On the issue of recruitment, Williams was able to confirm several interesting additions to the Ulster squad. Harlequins wing cum centre Spencer Bromley, a player with Irish qualifications, joins the champions, as does Australian centre Riaz Fredericks as well as some familiar faces in Paddy Johns, Eric Miller, Tyrone Howe and Niall Malone.
The spectre of Stade Francais and Leicester looms large once again for Leinster in a Pool that also includes Glasgow Caledonians. The French side pitted themselves against Mike Ruddock's charges, home and away, at the same stage last season while Leinster have previously faced Leicester in 1996 and 1997.
Leinster will open their campaign on the weekend of November 19th-21st against the reigning Allied Dunbar champions. Ruddock relishes the high profile competition. "I am delighted. It's a tough draw but that's something to which we are accustomed. We let ourselves down a bit against Stade Francais last season when we would have won had we not lost a little discipline.
"The boys know what to expect now. We will be much stronger this season." Ruddock admitted that Malcolm O'Kelly's return to the province and the excellent form of the young Australian tourists, Brian O'Driscoll, Ciaran Scally and Robert Casey promised much. He also conceded that he hoped to announce soon a "few overseas signings" once the paperwork was completed.
Munster's lot is equally as demanding. They are pitted against beaten finalists Colomiers, Saracens and Pontypridd. Coach Declan Kidney was philosophical: "I knew there would be no easy draw. You were always likely to face an English and French team. There are no great surprises and it's not all doom and gloom. I'm not saying we will definitely emerge, but we certainly won't be intimidated.
"The start is all important, it sets you up for the competition. We got a good one against Padova. I look forward to the Colomiers match (they beat Munster in the quarter-finals) as we didn't do ourselves justice that day. As for Saracens, well they have Paul Wallace, Darragh O'Mahony, Francois Pienaar and many other good players. The trip to Loftus Road promises to be a great occasion.
"We have played Pontypridd before (Munster play them first) and it is especially tough to go there and win." Kidney concedes, however, that the initial priority is the interprovincials, as it is understood that only the top two provinces at this stage will qualify for next season's European Cup.
Meanwhile, Munster will have a new manager this year as former Lions and Munster selector Brian O'Brien takes over from Gerry Holland who has stepped down due to work commitments and the demands of managing the Ireland A side.
Connacht are drawn alongside Ebbw Vale, Toulon and the Romanian champions in Pool four of the Shield, while London Irish are attractively grouped with Agen, former Cup winners Brive and Italian side Roma. The group matches take place in November (two weekends), December (two) and January (two), with the final scheduled for May 27th.
