04/19/24
October 18, 2006
Heinekin Cup Preview: The BBC takes a look at all the teams in this year's Heinekin Cup. These views are mainly from the different teams' supporters, so don't expect impartial judgement calls.
Ospreys fan here, and I predict another season of all 4 Welsh regions failing to get past the group stages. Should be some good games to watch, but not at the Liberty Stadium unfortunately. That place has less atmosphere than a morgue. Bring back the Gnoll!
posted by afx237vi at 08:15 AM on October 18, 2006
afx237vi, what do you think of the amount of games that the Welsh union has signed your clubs up for? Celtic League, Anglo-Welsh thingy, and Heinekin too. Seems a bit over the top to be playing 2 games in the one week.
posted by Fence at 08:58 AM on October 18, 2006
Well, there's the Magners League (Celtic), EDF Energy League (Anglo-Welsh), and the Heinekin Cup (European). Then you factor in the international players, who are also expected to play the autumn internationals and the six nations, before going straight off the play the World Cup. Frankly I think it's ridiculous. The Anglo-Welsh thing should just be scrapped in my opinion. It's totally pointless and was only invented so the BBC could buy the rights and put English rugby back on TV. No-one is interested in it, the crowds are crap and it's just a needless diversion in an already crowded calendar.
posted by afx237vi at 10:03 AM on October 18, 2006
One of the pundits on the Setanta Sports coverage of the Magners League went on a mini-rant about the Anglo-Welsh league, saying that the Welsh Union are thinking only of the short term profits and will regret forcing players to play so often when they are injured for more important matches later in the season.
posted by Fence at 11:39 AM on October 18, 2006
I'll be cheering for Munster, but I've Leinster blood too. So if either of them does well I'll be happy. Some tough matches ahead for all the teams.