Heineken History Against Irish
Not since 1998, has a side won a quarter final away from home in the Heineken Cup. Then, French side Brive, defeated Wasps 25-18 on their way to the final which they were to lose 19-18 to Bath.
Not since 1998, has a side won a quarter final away from home in the Heineken Cup. Then, French side Brive, defeated Wasps 25-18 on their way to the final which they were to lose 19-18 to Bath.
Next weekend, Leinster and Munster attempt to emulate Brive’s feat when they travel to England and France respectively to take on last year’s finalists, Leicester and Stade Francais. It’s a mammoth task for both. Leinster against a Leicester side who have made no bones about their desire to become the first side to record back-to-back final success while Max Guazzzini dearly wants no other trophy as much as the Heineken.
At the weekend both Leicester and Stade Francais were defeated, Leicester by Harlequins in the Cup and Stade by Toulouse in the French League. Significantly perhaps, neither togged out what would be considered their first team. But Toulouse had Patrick Tabacco injured and he is rated doubtful for Saturday’s game with Munster while Leicester have now lost two on the trot and that will give Matt Wiilliams something to work on.
On the player front, Munster wait on Peter Stringer who hasn’t played with them since the Celtic League semi-final win over Ulster while Shane Horgan remains a doubt for Leinster.
Both need a return to their best form to have any chance in Stade Jean Bouin or Welford Road.
That best form, if produced, is good enough to take them through to the semi-finals.