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Sunday, December 16, 2007
Heineken Cup review
Comments [0] | Tags: England | France | Heineken Cup | Ireland | italy | rugby blog | Rugby News | Scotland | Wales


'You should've seen the other guy!'

So last year's finalists are teetering on the brink? I believe so. Leicester failed to grab the losing bonus in Toulouse, losing 22-11, despite the game being there for the taking, while Wasps were guilty of losing their concentration late on for the second weekend in succession after gifting Clermont Auvergne a crucial bonus point in their 25-24 victory at Adams Park.

You predicted Friday's matches would be like watching paint dry? Well Glasgow gave it one hell of a go but Samiu Vahafolau scored two tries right at the death to win it for Biarritz and now look dead and buried despite a determined effort, losing 21-14 in France. The Ospreys weren't all that convincing either, needing a 52nd minute try from Justin Marshall to see them past a plucky Irish defensive display, 18-6.

So the Ospreys are still in with a shout? Potentially as a best-placed runner-up but Gloucester appear to be romping home in Pool 2.

How did Gloucester get on? They thrashed Bourgoin 51-27 with Ryan Lamb scoring 26 points. He grabbed one of six tries with the scary, Akapusi Qera, also on the score sheet. The Fijian was immense!

Not a good weekend for the French then? Pre-tournament favourites, Stade Francais, were very disjointed, losing 31-21 in Cardiff. New Zealander, Paul Tito, scored the decisive try, charging down a David Skrela punt. Perpignan kept up their part of the bargain, beating London Irish and avoiding giving them a bonus point, but if the Catalans were upset last weekend, Irish were left fuming.

What happened? First there was snow but the real sour point occurred when Perpignan captain, Perry Freshwater piled a haymaker on Irish forward, Keiran Roche's face that resulted in a broken cheekbone and he was blind in his left eye.

Ouch, no luck for the Irish then? Not here, or in Scotland either, where Leinster lost in Edinburgh, all but ending their hopes of a Quarter Final. In addition to injuries for Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan, Ben Cairns gladly accepted an interception to put the game to bed, 29-10. Munster faired a little better...

Did they give the Scarlets another hiding? Not at all. It was a very tough and bruising encounter. It wasn't until Brian Carney scored in the 74th minute until Munster could breathe a little safely at 22-13.

So who's left? Just Sunday's game in Bristol and the tale of the Italians... They both produced the performances of the weekend. Treviso went to Wales and beat the Dragons thanks to Marius Goosen's penalty in the last seconds of the game, which made it 24-22 at Rodney Parade. Their forwards were huge and showed a great deal of discipline to keep the ball.

And Viadana? They got beat by Saracens but it was no 60+ point drubbing like last weekend. In fact, they were 26-3 up at half-time but Sarries produced a stunning comeback worthy of the Spice Girls coutesy of a Richard Haughton try deep into stoppage time, making it 26-34 to the English side.

Are Bristol going to qualify? It's going to be tough, especially with a tricky trip to Paris, but Sunday's 20-7 win over a youthful Harlequins helped matters.

Where's the smart money now? I'm never smart with my money so i'd put it on Toulouse after a hard-fought win over the Tigers.

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