Heineken Cup Quarter Final Matchups

[Feicarsinn]

So, they're confirmed now:

Ulster vs Saracens
Clermont vs Leicester
Toulon vs Leinster
Munster vs Toulouse

 

[psychic duck]

So, they're confirmed now:

Ulster vs Saracens
Clermont vs Leicester
Toulon vs Leinster
Toulouse vs Munster

Not one of the most exciting group rounds the Heineken Cup has ever seen, but those are some very interesting matchups. Apart from maybe Northampton, these are probably the strongest sides. Even though Saracens and Munster got very fortunate draws, there's no side that looks out of place in a European top 8 unlike other years where sides such as Cardiff Blues or London Irish have managed to fluke their way in.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Ulster v Clermont and Toulon v Munster in the semi finals is my prediction. I think Munster v Toulouse and Toulon v Leinster will be very close games. Ulster should take Saracens by 7-10 points and Clermont should win quite handily at home to Leicester.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Need to change that, Munster are at home to Toulouse.

Ulster vs Clermont
Toulon vs Munster

I think Toulon and Leinster will come very close, but home advantage might just make the difference.

From the semi finals it looks like it might be another Clermont vs Toulon final..

 

[Aristodemus]

Ulster v Saracens should be a close game but it is hard to look past the big three French clubs at home, certainly not Clermont.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Is Munster not at home to Toulouse?..

They are.

The semi finals are just going to be inter-pros where Clermont replace Connacht!

 

[Maverick1987]

I'm going for a Saracens vs Clermont and Toulon vs Toulouse .

French clubs have too much depth I think there will be some injuries during 6N and the French clubs can handle that better

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I'm going for a Saracens vs Clermont and Toulon vs Toulouse .

French clubs have too much depth I think there will be some injuries during 6N and the French clubs can handle that better

Somebody doesn't have much faith in Irish clubs

 

[Feicarsinn]

Fixed.

Anyway, having already gone to Northampton, Swansea and Castres and ****ed **** up there I'd feel very confident about travelling pretty much anywhere. If the pack is fit and firing we have what it takes to win. A classic battle of home grown talent vs world rugby's mercenaries. Come at me.

 

[Maverick1987]

Somebody doesn't have much faith in Irish clubs

Sorry I didn't mean it against Ireland it's just I think sarries will play a massive forward game that ulster won't handle the rest I've explained above

Don't get me wrong I think every game will be very very close . Can't see anyone getting stuffed .

I wish I had your enthusiasm I'd love Leicester to be the one that ends clermonts run

 

[Groundhog]

Everyone stop pegging us as favourites. We won't stand a chance if you do!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ulster should take Saracens by 7-10 points

Not sure I'd agree with that.
Obviously the matches are a way off yet so form can change, but Saracens are a big step above Tigers at the moment, and I don't think Ulster looked comfortable against Leicester in either game.
Ulster will be bookies favourites due to the home draw, but I think Saracens will win - their style of rugby is built for knockouts.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Not sure I'd agree with that.
Obviously the matches are a way off yet so form can change, but Saracens are a big step above Tigers at the moment, and I don't think Ulster looked comfortable against Leicester in either game.
Ulster will be bookies favourites due to the home draw, but I think Saracens will win - their style of rugby is built for knockouts.

In terms of difficulty I'd say Leicester away isn't much different from Saracens at Ravenhill.

Edit: I will say this though, I don't think Ulster cope will with the 'favourites' tag. All our very best performances have come from the underdog position, away to Munster we went 19-0 up, Montpellier away we blew them off the park and then Leicester. In contrast however the one game that sticks out was vs Edinburgh in the semi's when the game was too close for comfort when it shouldn't have been.

 

[Nielsch]

Interesting match-ups! Can't wait for Quarter Finals weekend!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't think Ulster will have too much trouble with Sarries, they'll match them up front and their backs are better. Add the Ravenhill faithful and Ulster are going through to the semis. Their team this year is better than what they've had in the last two years in my opinion, even though the player group hasn't changed considerably.



Clermont to win at home as well, the other two could go either way, both Leinster and Toulouse have shown they can win big games away.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Not sure I'd agree with that.
Obviously the matches are a way off yet so form can change, but Saracens are a big step above Tigers at the moment, and I don't think Ulster looked comfortable against Leicester in either game.
Ulster will be bookies favourites due to the home draw, but I think Saracens will win - their style of rugby is built for knockouts.

I don't know, they've never been able to do anything substantial in the Heineken Cup, be it in the group stages or the knockouts. Now, they've got a solid pack, but Toulouse showed that that can be effectively neutralized. Do Ulster have the calibre of player to do the same? Hard to tell really. A lot of it comes down to how the scrum fares. I think they have smarter backs and with home advantage I'd fancy them. They're a serious side.

I don't think they can afford to carry Nick Williams in this game though. Wilson to 8, Henderson at 6 with Muller and Tuohy in the second row. Williams as a potential impact sub.

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah I agree, Supersize just bleeds penalties and despite all the class "tittyslap boshes and pretend the ball is a burger and take it off the short kid" s, he's not worth it in knockout rugby.

 

[Peat]

Fez is meant to be back playing for Dungannon next month. IF that goes as planned, IF then it's very hard to see anyone else starting at blindside that day. Would be a huge boost.

No doubt that Sarries pack deserves respect, it's one hell of a unit, but then so are our boys. Maybe not as big but possibly a bit more streetwise. It's not like this team hasn't given big packs the back of its hand before - Northampton when they had Tiny and Mujati, Montpellier. Others. There's no room for complacency here, even a little above our top standards can be fatal, but this doable. Plus - Ravenhill. Home advantage will be worth a little at least. As pointed out, Sarries don't have a huge amount to point to here. I'd be very impressed if they won this. Not saying they won't, not for one moment, but big away wins in Europe are big moments.

 

[duncanb]

Apart from Clemont at home all look fairly even match ups, stats for QF say 75% home wins so which team most likely to be the one to win away. I will stick my head on the block and go for Leinster, but don't think more than a score in most of games.

 

[munstermuffin]

Dare I say this is best QF lineup in years and well I think all games including Clermont game is open. Tigers are like that thorn they may struggle but they'll hang in there.
As a Munster man I relieved its Toulouse instead of Leinster coming. Crazily though it'll be Toulouses first trip to Thomond Park. Sad though that Dusatoir will not be playing as it's always great to see Worldclass in Limerick. Still it's a 50/50 game.
Ulster vs Sarries is a game I feel will have fireworks and well will be tight as hell. Sarries won't fear Ravenhill but a redeveloped Ravenhill will be hopping and it'll be who handles occasion better.
Toulon and Leinster will be super game and tie of QFs but think game will be Toulons to loose for 3 reasons. They're at home, SOB out and Leinster dominate the Irish 6 Nations squad and if it's like NZ game squads will be mostly Leinster so they'll ship injuries and for guys like BOD and D'Arcy etc the workload may be a struggle. But it not that 1 or 2 guys have that but a lot of them will have a heavy workload for extended period