One of the most exciting weekends on the rugby calendar is finally here. The variety and culture of some of the best teams in Europe going toe to toe means we are set up for an enthralling four games of rugby.
Leinster versus Cardiff
Cardiff still possess some fine players in the form of the wily Martyn William, the in form Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny as well as the mighty Gethin Jenkins. Indeed there is much talk of Cardiff producing one last hurrah in Dublin as much of the squad will be departing after the summer.
However every bit as much as Cardiff want to go out on a high, this Leinster team are also chasing greatness. They will be hugely determined to make the semis and hence take one step further to completing back to back titles and a third success in four years.
Added to that an evening kick off in the Aviva seems to galvanise Leinster into their best rugby. With Isa Nacewa and Rob Kearney working off each other in the back three and Jamie Heaslip in good form I think Leinster will have too much.
Cardiff are no doubt unlucky to have lost two players of such huge importance to them and whilst they still have some talent on show and some hugely intelligent players in their pack they are even more unfortunate it has to be Leinster they are coming up against.
Prediction: Leinster by 18
Munster versus Ulster
However Munster on the other hand as always seem to have got the timing right once again for the Heineken Cup this season. Slow and sluggish for most of the group stages they exploded into life in their evisceration of Northampton in the final pool game.
From that encounter with the Saints, Munster can also welcome back the exciting Felix Jones as well as David Wallace whilst Simon Zebo continues to back up his hat trick at the Milton Keynes stadium. Their bench is equally much stronger now also as they can bring on the likes of Donncha O'Callaghan, Tomas O'Leary and the aforementioned David Wallace.
Both teams have an impressive set of backs but the forward battle will be a savage contest. Ulster, providing the beastly Steven Ferris is fit, probably have the edge in the back row though it will be interesting to see how Peter O'Mahoney fares. The presence of Paul O'Connell however is massive for Munster and should not be underestimated.
Certainly there won't be much between the packs but what of each teams play makers Ronan O'Gara and Ruan Pienaar. O'Gara saves his best for these kind of days. He oozes confidence when he is in red jersey in Thomond Park. Pienaar however is a hugely classy operator. If he can hit his best form Munster could be in deep trouble. They must put him under enormous pressure for the whole 80 minutes.
This is an incredibly hard game call. I would not be surprised if Ulster do win. They will need their pack to dominate proceedings however if they are to do so. I think Munster's backs just have an edge on their counterparts and one incisive break could be the slightest difference to separate these sides.
Prediction: Munster by 3
Edinburgh versus Toulouse
Both sides certainly love to throw the ball around which suggests this will be an open and exciting match. However I think Toulouse will also be satisfied to let their pack do damage before they decide to cut loose in the backs. They have a monstrous back row whilst their front five will look to bully Edinburgh.
Edinburgh however providing they embrace this game in a positive manner can certainly rattle the French giants. David Denton and Ross Rennie were two players whose reputations were actually enhanced from Scotland's abysmal 6 Nations campaign. Mike Blair meanwhile has always proved capable of igniting the Edinburgh backs.
Will that be enough for the Scottish side? Probably not. Toulouse should be in knock out mode now. Their exceptional pack allied with some graceful backs means they should have too much for a valiant Edinburgh side.
Prediction: Toulouse by 10
Saracens versus Clermont
Clermont have an incredible backline. Wesley FofanaParra and the elusive Sitiveni Sivivatu. Julien Bonnaire adds steel to their pack.
Saracens had a number of players who aided the English revival in the 6 Nations and they are the best team in England at the moment. In Owen Farrell they have a nerveless kicker whilst they have a strong, honest pack.
On paper i think Clermont have a better side, but home advantage is key in the Heineken Cup. Clermont for all their reputation have an awful record of losing crunch away ties that are there for winning. Think back to 2008 against Wasps, 2009 against Munster and the infamous 2010 quarter final where Brock James missed a last minute drop goal against Leinster.
This could be Clermont's best ever chance of Heineken cup success. Much like the Munster and Ulster clash it would not be a surprise to see Clermont escape back to the Auvergne with a victory, but Saracens are an ever improving side and with home advantage they should just sneak a win.
Prediction: Saracens by 4
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