13 / 14 HEC draw

[Neill_M]

Reckon it will be:

Montpeiller (H)
Tigers (A)
Double Header v Treviso
Montpeiller (A)
Tigers (H)

2 teams to come out of pools 2 and 3.

If they start with Montpellier, they'll finish with Montpellier too.

Ulster have started with a home draw for the last 9 years, so Sky must like having an Ulster home game at the start of the tournament.

Good point

tigers at home in r5 then off to france in r6 i reckon.

Pool 1 - Leinster
Pool 2 - Toulon + Glasgow
Pool 3 - Toulouse + Sarries
Pool 4 - Clermont
Pool 5 - Ulster
Pool 6 - Munster

[BaggyTrousers]

Hmmmmmmmmmm

[pip14]

Honestly I think Glasgow will beat Toulon at scotstoon, and run them (Toulon) close for pool toppers, seriously. Yous probably think I'm mad !

[eeyore]

Poor Ben Youngs. His Lions tour has just been ruined

[breakdown]

Wouldn't say it's a forgone conclusion that Leinster will win their pool, Saints have lost their talismen in the scrum but recruited well I think, North and Fot-whatever his name (not even going to attempt it) is will be big signings for them.

[ruckover]

Northampton will provide stiff opposition, but Leinster have Pool 1 sorted. In my opinion the only close pools are ours and Toulouse/Sarries. Right now I have us predicted to be away in the quarters to Saracens again

[mikerob]

I've added up the current Eurotable rankings for the pools to give an indication of the overall quality in each pool and in descending order they are:

323.38 Pool 1 (Leinster, Northampton, Ospreys, Castres)
305.83 Pool 4 (Clermont, Harlequins, Scarlets, Racing)
296.24 Pool 5 (Ulster, Leicester, Montpellier, Treviso)
272.37 Pool 2 (Toulon, Cardiff, Glasgow, Exeter)
231.38 Pool 6 (Munster, Perpignan, Edinburgh, Gloucester)
218.55 Pool 3 (Toulouse, Saracens, Connacht, Zebre)

[Promenades]

Crackin' pubs and great beer in Leicester ...... Looking forward to it!

[Ringer]

not as favourable as last years draw i would venture slightly easier than two years ago when we still managed to come throught the group(Tigers, Clermont and Zebre). The squad is getting stronger year on year and this bookie would have us as favourites to win the group

Much will depend on the fixture schedule as Montpellier have the ability to do a Castres/Racing and rest players for the T14 in the last couple of rounds if they dont have a chance of qualifying.

treviso in the double header would be a big bonus

[CIMANFOREVER]

Don't share the optimism. Nasty old group. Tigers will be up for it, Treviso awkward away (and will take a win at least off someone) and who knows which Montpellier side will show up? Look at Castres. If we get them first up at home, a la Castres, hoke them, then we're off and running. Then their interest diminishes exponentially.
If we qualify, it'll be at best 5/6, so probably away Q/F. But if we do qualify, we should fear no-one. But, as the man says, bring it on!
As long as there's no stupid Belly Laugh T-Shirts this time. Tigers will be out for big time payback. Both ties will be titanic.
Obviously, injuries and the AI's will be crucial.. surely our luck can't be as bad this year?

[OneMore]

Look at Castres. If we get them first up at home, a la Castres, hoke them, then we're off and running. Then their interest diminishes exponentially.

I think it'd take more than losing their first game, away to the top seeds for them to lose interest.

[BR]

I've added up the current Eurotable rankings for the pools to give an indication of the overall quality in each pool and in descending order they are:

323.38 Pool 1 (Leinster, Northampton, Ospreys, Castres)
305.83 Pool 4 (Clermont, Harlequins, Scarlets, Racing)
296.24 Pool 5 (Ulster, Leicester, Montpellier, Treviso)
272.37 Pool 2 (Toulon, Cardiff, Glasgow, Exeter)
231.38 Pool 6 (Munster, Perpignan, Edinburgh, Gloucester)
218.55 Pool 3 (Toulouse, Saracens, Connacht, Zebre)

I'd put more store in the median

Pool1 79.69
Pool5 78.36
Pool4 78.26
Pool2 70.03
Pool6 64.08
Pool3 58.88

[bazzaj]

I am happy enough.
Best case would have been Cardiff, Connacht and Zebre
Worst Leicester,Racing and Glasgow.
We are somewhere in the middle, whereas pools 1 and 4 are the toughest.
Runners up spot already decided in Pool 3 so the rest are competing for one place to go through.

Tough assignments particularly away but can do the double over Treviso without too many worries which gives an easier look to matters, as I will always back us at home.
Montpellier 6th best french team is a Castres last year type draw.
The Tigers are traditionally vunerable early season and their star Lions players might be knackered so not overly worried there.
Summer signings will be key but I still fancy us to top that lot.

[Amiga500]

Wise up Ruck. You have to beat the best to be the best, in some ways I'd rather be in that group than an easy group

But you'd rather beat the best in a home QF.

Thats the worry for me. I don't see too many 5-pointers in there.

[Amiga500]

Summer signings will be key but I still fancy us to top that lot.

What summer signings? Well, there definitely won't be any NIQs anyway...