As the posturing and muscle-flexing continues over the European Cup negotiations, this year’s competition kicks off in earnest next weekend.
I simply can’t believe we won’t have a truly European rugby competition next year, though there may be one with reduced participation from Scottish and Italian teams, depending on how the Rabo Direct Pro12 league ends up.
There is of course the second tier Amlin Cup for teams to compete in, should they not make the ‘senior’ tournament’s qualification criteria.
But negotiations aside, Glasgow have a difficult opening fixture away to last years’ Cup winners, Toulon.
Travelling to the south of France isn’t the easiest way to kick off their campaign, but the team will take great confidence from their assured start to the season and will hope to dent Toulon’s ambitions to retain the Cup.
Glasgow’s other Group opponents are Cardiff and Exeter. Cardiff seem to be in a bit of disarray this season, but they have a number of quality players amongst their ranks including British and Irish Lions stars Sam Warburton and Leigh Halfpenny, so they will be no pushover. Exeter, on the other hand, have few household names in their squad yet have a great team ethos. They’ve demonstrated they’re a difficult team to beat, particularly at home.
Edinburgh open their campaign against European masters, Munster. They also have French opposition in the form of Perpignan and West Country stalwarts Gloucester, neither of whom will be easy to beat away from home. Mind you, based on Edinburgh’s current form, they won’t be easy to defeat at Murrayfield either!
Indeed, it is hard to see Edinburgh progressing to the knock out stages this year. Alan Solomons will do well if he can prevent them from coming last in their group.
Glasgow on the other hand have to have higher ambitions. Much will depend on their opening game in Toulon and if they could shock the French (well, some Toulon players are French!) it would set them up very well indeed.
What is certain is that if Scotland’s professional teams perform well in the European competition that will significantly strengthen the SRU’s negotiating position. It would be absurd to have a European Cup without Munster or Leinster participating, but one semi-final appearance in almost 20 years of competition doesn’t help the Scottish cause.
I sincerely hope Glasgow will be the Scottish standard bearers this year, starting with a shock away win next weekend.
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