2005/06 Heineken Cup Taking Shape

Saracens secured the final qualifying place of the English sides for next season’s Heineken Cup at the weekend. 18 of the 24 competing teams have been confirmed so far.

Saracens got the better of Gloucester – 24-16 – in Saturday’s Zurich Wildcard final at Twickenham to book their seat at Europe’s top table.

Meanwhile, former England Lions captain Martin Johnson’s final game for Leicester Tigers ended in defeat as London Wasps came out on top – 39-14 – in the Zurich Premiership final. The result sees Wasps came England’s top Heineken Cup ranking spot, with the Tigers second.

The next two weeks will see the make-up of the 2005/06 Heineken Cup completed. The remaining three French places and the FFR’s overall rankings are still in the melting pot.

The Italian qualifiers will be determined next weekend – May 21/22 – following the Azzurri’s Championship semi-finals. And the following weekend will see Cardiff tussle with the third-placed Italian side in a one-game decider for the Heineken Cup’s 24th and final place.

2005/06 Heineken Cup Confirmed Qualifiers:

ENGLAND (6): London Wasps, Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks, Bath Rugby, Leeds Tykes, Saracens.

FRANCE (7): Biarritz Olympique, Bourgoin, Stade Francais Paris, Toulouse.

IRELAND (3): Munster, Leinster, Ulster.

ITALY (2): tbc.

SCOTLAND (2): Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Rugby.

WALES (3): Neath-Swansea-Ospreys, Newport-Gwent Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets.

PLAY-OFF (1): Cardiff Blues v third-placed Italian team.