Heineken Cup 2009 Pool 3 Fixtures and Preview
Clermont Auvergne, Leicester Tigers, The Ospreys, Viadana
Oct 7, 2009
If pool 2 looks like a one horse race, Heineken Cup pool 3 looks like a cavalry charge. The Ospreys and Leicester repeat their joust of last year and the dark horses are Clermont Auvergne who will be dangerous on their own turf. The three legged donkey bringing up the rear are Italian side Viadana.
Heineken Cup Clermont-Auvergne
Ambitious French side Clermont Auvergne will be looking to do justice to their undoubted talent. Despite a strong squad over the last couple of years, they have failed to qualify for the knockout stages, but it should only be a matter of time.
They have suffered from being in the same group as qualification masters Munster in the last two years, and this year’s group looks just as tough.
They will win their home games, but will struggle away from home at Welford Road and the Liberty stadium.
Players to watch: French star wing Aurien Rougerie and South African outside half Brock James
Heineken Cup Leicester Tigers
Always dangerous, the Tigers have a Munsteresque ability to win tight games. Last year’s finalists after surviving professional rugby’s first ever penalty shootout against the Cardiff Blues, the Tigers have a similar group to last year.
They have the advantage of playing the Ospreys at Welford Road first, which if they win will put the pressure on the Ospreys for the return leg which will close the pool stages. Last year, both teams earned bonus points in their respective away fixtures, so assuming both teams gain the maximum points from Viadana, performances against Clermont will decide the group.
Players to watch: Tom Croft, flanker who made a big impact on the Lions tour to South Africa, Martin CastroGiovanni Argentine born Italian prop.
Heineken Cup The Ospreys
The Ospreys qualified as a best placed runner up behind the Tigers last year, but were embarrassingly destroyed by Munster at Thomond Park in the quarter finals. This multi-faceted team has flattered to deceive on a number of occasions.
The Ospreys have recruited Scott Johnson as their Director of coaching and will be hoping his maverick style can get the best out of one of the most talented squads in the competition.
Early signs this season aren’t promising, but with a number of players coming back from the grueling Lions tour, things should improve. The first signs of recovery have been seen at the Liberty stadium with recent performances improving, but there’s still a long way to go.
Players to watch: Ryan Jones, missed out on a Lions tour he was in the running to captain, now looks back to his best. Kiwi legend Jerry Collins has joined the O's this year and plays in his first Heineken Cup. Shane Williams, the 2008 World player of the year is not on top form, but is still the one most people would pay to see.
Heineken Cup Viadana
Viadana are occasional qualifiers from the Italian league, but have never won a game in the Heineken Cup. They are unlikely to start in this company.
Their main contribution to the competition this year will be to give opposing fans a pleasant weekend away in Lombardy.
Players to watch: Gavin Quinnell, bigger but less talented brother of Scott and Craig.
Heineken Cup Pool 3 Fixtures
10th Oct ’09 16:00 Clermont Auvergne v Viadana – Stade Marcel Michelin
11th Oct ’09 12:45 Leicester Tigers v The Ospreys – Welford Road
17th Oct ’09 14:30 Viadana v Leicester Tigers – Stadio Luigi Zaffanella
18th Oct ’09 12:45 The Ospreys v Clermont Auvergne – The Liberty Stadium
12th Dec ’09 14:30 Viadana v The Ospreys – Stadio il Giglio
13th Dec ’09 16:00 Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers – Stade Marcel Michelin
19th Dec ’09 14:30 The Ospreys v Viadana – Liberty Stadium
19th Dec ’09 19:00 Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne – Welford Road
15/16/17 Jan ’10 Leicester Tigers v Viadana – Welford Road
15/16/17 Jan ’10 Clermont Auvergne v The Ospreys – Stade Marcel Michelin
22/23/24 Jan ’10 The Ospreys v Leicester Tigers – Liberty Stadium
22/23/24 Jan ’10 Viadana v Clermont Auvergne – Stadio Luigi Zaffanella
Photo finish between Leicester Tigers and the Ospreys.
Heineken Cup Pool 2 Preview and fixtures
Heineken Cup Pool 4 Preview and fixtures
