Beware sharks in the pool of peril

Heineken Cup: Euro sceptics thin on the ground as a competition of romance, ambience and menace beckons Beware sharks in the pool of peril

No disrespect to the domestic league, but it's time for a change of pace, a change of scenery. Even the staunchest Anglophile has developed a taste for the Heineken Cup which, inevitably beset by the game's political problems when it first came on tap five seasons ago, has matured into a premier brand.

No disrespect to the domestic league, but it's time for a change of pace, a change of scenery. Even the staunchest Anglophile has developed a taste for the Heineken Cup which, inevitably beset by the game's political problems when it first came on tap five seasons ago, has matured into a premier brand.

Whoever lifts the cup on 20 May will be proclaimed champions of Europe, and it will take some winning. With the non-appearance of a so-called super league, which had the support of English and Welsh club owners, the Heineken takes cross-border competition even further afield, with 24 teams from six countries and, for most clubs or provinces, it is the next best thing to international rugby.

A couple of years ago Bath, the city, ran on empty as thousands of people travelled to Bordeaux, where they witnessed a rich, full-bodied final in which Jon Callard scored all his side's points, the West Country club beating Brive 19-18.

Would Callard, now Bath's coach, prefer to win the Zurich Premiership or the Heineken Cup? "That's incredibly tough. I'd give my right arm for either. I think the Premiership is more demanding. It's more of a marathon and you have to be the model of consistency.

"Europe is a fabulous competition because it engenders a community feel. It has the romanticism and the atmosphere. When Bath won, it whetted our appetite, and it's a pity the supporters missed out the following year."

No sooner had Bath triumphed than the English clubs, in a classic case of nose-biting and face-spiting, boycotted the competition. It was left to Ulster, who put the fear of God into any French aristocrat venturing to the Belfast stronghold of Rav- enhill, to place a red hand on the cup.

Suitably inspired by the crusade, Munster carried on last season where Ulster had left off, and for Ravenhill read Thomond Park, the fortress in Limerick. However, before a crowd of 68,000 at Twickenham four months ago, Northampton, who had been fighting on three fronts, finally found the key to the cupboard with a 9-8 victory over Munster, for whom Ronan O'Gara had a rare off-day. Judging by their results in Ireland's inter-provincial league this season, Munster do not appear to be missing Keith Wood, who has swapped the poetry of Limerick for the suburban delights of The Stoop in west London. He was on a sabbatical from Harlequins when he played for Munster, and this time will be slumming it in the unsponsored European Shield.

Northampton open their defence at the home of the French Cup winners, Biarritz, on Saturday, by far their toughest assignment in Pool One, which at the shallow end contains Edinburgh Reivers and Leinster. Seven of the weekend's 12 matches will be televised, with Biarritz-Saints covered not only by FR2 but the BBC, who are showing it live on Grandstand.

The tournament kicks off on Friday evening with a couple of aperitifs that look more like Molotov cocktails: Ulster versus Cardiff in Pool Three and Llanelli against Gloucester in Pool Five. Toulouse and Saracens complete Pool Three.

"This is not far off the group of death," Robert Howley, the Cardiff scrum-half, said. "It is unfortunate that quality sides aren't going to make it to the knock-out stages. I suppose the ideal would be a European league, but as it is, the Heineken Cup is the summit of our ambition. Our season depends on a big European campaign."

Cardiff, leaders of the Welsh/Scottish League, were dreadful in a quarter-final at Llanelli last season, a result that epitomised their lack of character when the going got seriously tough. "We are mentally stronger," Howley said. "We dug deep to beat Newport and again to come from 30-8 down to beat Bridgend. Newport had 75 per cent of possession and we put in 187 tackles. That's Super 12 standard."

This will be Howley's first visit to Belfast. "I played in Munster three years ago and I imagine it will be a similar experience, with the huge Irish passion and the crowd on top of you. It will test us to the limit, but this is a game we have to win."

Last season, Howley lost the Wales captaincy and his place. "I'm on the right track," he said. "I worked tremendously hard and there is a little bounce in the step."

Toulouse, who won the first final, beating Cardiff 21-18 after extra time at the old Arms Park in 1996, entertain (probably not the right word) Saracens. Like Northampton, Saracens should travel with a clove of garlic and a couple of stakes. The French presence looks even more menacing than usual.

When Toulouse won the cup, Thomas Castaignÿde at centre scored a try and dropped a goal. His conversion to full-back with Saracens this season has been a great success, and Castaignÿde will be able to assist with a little local knowledge. By the time Saracens play Ulster in the second roundin mid-October, Tim Horan, the Wallaby, should be fit.

With only one team from each group guaranteed a place in the last eight, none of the pools are easy, although some look easier than others. If Pool Three is the group of death, Pool Four - Munster, Newport, Bath and Castres - is also shark-infested. Bath play Jeremy Davidson's Castres at the Recreation Ground and Newport, making their cup debut, must travel toLimerick.

Castres have already sprung a surprise on Bath by asking for written authorisation for two of their players, a Romanian and a Georgian, to visit the West Country. "We had to issue a formal invitation to them," said a Bath spokesman. "Perhaps their work permits only allow them to play in France."

In round two on 13 October, when Bath make the short journey to Newport, Callard will be reunited with his brother. Nigel Callard assists in the coaching of the Newport backs. "I've already been to Rodney Parade to have a look at them and it seems as if the good times are back," said Jon, who played for Newport 12 years ago before crossing the Severn Bridge.

When Northampton won last May they received £360,000 in prize money and invaluable spin-offs. Heineken are pumping in £20m over four years and the money is distributed from European Rugby Cup Limited to the unions and then to the clubs, an unsatisfactory system. Teams pay their own expenses but when at home keep gate receipts.

The Shield is small beer by comparison, but at least this time the winners, from eight pools of four, will have something to show - a passport into next season's Heineken Cup.