The mood around Irish rugby isn't fantastic after a disappointing quarter-final exit at the hands of Argentina in the World Cup. The perfect tonic for hopes to be raised in the country is for the provinces to regain the dominance over Europe from Munster's two Heineken Cup victories to the Leinster and Ulster final in 2012 that was the third of three Leinster trophies.
The nouveau riche French clubs will provide the biggest challenge, with Toulon and Clermont overwhelming favourites to keep the trophy in France for the fourth straight year. Munster are given the best odds of the Irish provinces, and according to the Sunday Times - they will be the only province to make an impact in the tournament.
The Red Army will be without two key back row players for the majority of the pool stage - with Peter O'Mahony's ACL injury likely to keep him out until the group stage, while Tommy O'Donnell's hip might see him return for the final two weeks. Munster will need their experience in a tough pool with Leicester Tigers, Stade Francais, and Treviso. Stephen Jones' preview of the pool isn't exactly complimentary to Anthony Foley's men - but his dismissal of the Italians has lead Jones to believe Munster will reach the quarter-finals as a second place runner-up.
Neither Leicester nor Munster are what they were.
It doesn't get much prettier for either Leinster or Ulster. Both provinces aren't predicted to get out of their pools after horrendous draws. Leinster have to deal with the might of champions Toulon, the young and improving Bath, and another team on the rise. Leinster beat both Bath and Wasps in the tournament last season, and despite improving with the re-signings of Johnny Sexton and Isa Nacewa, as well as an influx of new talent like Garry Ringrose.
This doesn't mean much to Stephen Jones who doesn't even given Leinster a mention in his preview:
Another superlative pool, with Wasps at home as hard to beat as any if the new team shakes down. Toulon are massive, and have two players in every position. One away win by any team could settle it, and Bath need to put the grim Sam Burgess experience behind them. Hard to look past the champions.The preview for Ulster starts off much nicer, with Jones describing them as a "fierce proposition". The more you read though, the more you think that Jones merely views Ulster as a bump in the road for either Saracens or the fallen French giants Toulouse. Toulouse are shorn of their coach of 22 years. Jones thinks both Toulouse and Saracens will qualify over Ulster.
With the addition of Les Kiss to the backrow staff, there is no reason why Ulster can't put last season's horrible draw behind them and qualify for the quarter-finals ahead of Toulouse and maybe Saracens.
[Sunday Times]
