End Of Season Review

Connacht

Connacht look like they are finally coming of age. After a second successive season in the Heineken Cup, they performed admirably with 3 wins, including a fantastic win over Biarritz. Domestically, they finished in 8th position, their best position ever, which is about where they should be finishing. With a ever improving squad, with plenty of young talent that keep getting better, the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O'Halloran and Kieran Marmion will want to improve on 8th and start challenging for qualification from the pool stages.

Leinster

Possibly not the best season by their elevated standards over the last few years, but any season that ends with two trophies has to be considered as positive. Being put in Clermont's pool in the Heineken Cup meant that qualifying was always going to be a challenge, and a midseason dip didn't help matters. But as all good teams do, they carved out wins, and ended up at the business end of the season with two finals, winning both and using a large number of their squad. Joe may have left for higher honours, and other key players like Johnny Sexton, Isa Nacewa and Heinke van der Merwe may be leaving, but with the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen signed on, and Mike McCarthy and Matt O'Connor incoming, Leinster will look to continue their trophy winning form and building on some exciting talent in Jordi Murphy, Jack McGrath and Luke McGrath.

Munster

A team in transition will sum up their year. Fans seems disenchanted with new coach Rob Penney's plan for the team in the initial part of the year. However, fortunes turned with a historic win over Harlequins in the Stoop, and despite being out of contention in the Rabo Pro 12 for the first time in years, there are plenty of optimism going forward. Conor Murray finally stepped up to the challenge, and with players now buying into the plan, and Paul O'Connell maintaining fitness, Munster won't be too far away the top 4 next season. The departures of Ronan O'Gara and Doug Howlett will hurt them, but with Simon Zebo, Peter O'Mahony and Murray growing in stature, players like Ian Keatley and CJ Stander have big seasons ahead of them.

Ulster

What seemed like a great season in the making suffered a devastating dip after Christmas. A remarkable  run of victories in difficult circumstances at the start of the year was something to behold, but the rails came off with their first loss of the season vs Northampton in Round 4 of the Heineken Cup. That's their first loss in December! A large number of talented youngsters appeared this season, with Niall Annett, Peter Nelson, Stuart Olding, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew and Michael Allen impressing. The likes of Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson have had good seasons, and will look to kick on and firmly establish themselves in the Irish setup. The final loss last weekend will strengthen them, and will be in a strong position for larger honours next year. Watch out, we could be set for a period of Northern dominance.

Irish based Team of the Season

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2nd choice: Tom Court

There were some strong contenders, with Cian Healy and Jack McGrath impressing in bits this year. Callum Black was an able replacement for Ulster, and Denis Buckley showed he has promise, but a huge breakout year for Dave Kilcoyne, where he cemented himself as Ireland's 2nd choice no.1, and looks set to drive Cian Healy to improve year on year to keep his position. Tom Court had a great year after being written off after the fiasco against England in the previous year's 6 Nations.


2. Rory Best
2nd choice: Mike Sherry

Now that he's rightly in the Lions set up, we can look back at how good Rory Best was this year. One of Ireland's best performers in the 6 Nations, Best was awesome around the park, making turnovers, driving the strong Ulster scrum and being a leader in any team he played in. The Lions will be stronger for his inclusion. Mike Sherry has now established himself as Munster no.1, and seems to have usurped Sean Cronin as third in line to Best's Ireland jersey. Harris Wright had a strong season, and Strauss was decent but was injured for too much of the season.

3. John Afoa
2nd choice: Nathan White

John Afoa was a rock for Ulster this year. An extremely fierce scrummager, who offers plenty around the park too, Afoa is one of Europe's premier tightheads. Mike Ross looked tired all season, and BJ Botha has had better seasons.

4. Mike McCarthy
2nd choice: Michael Swift

McCarthy more than proved that he wasn't a token Connacht selection in the Irish setup with an impressive performance in the 6 Nations. His partnership with his second row partner Michael Swift was one of the reasons for Connacht's good season.

5. Donnacha Ryan
2nd choice: Dan Tuohy

Donnacha Ryan has come of age. He grew in stature this season in the absence of Paul O'Connell even though he seemed to fade a little bit when the great man returned. Such was Ryan's great season that he was being spoken as being unlucky to have missed out on Lions selection in some areas.

6. Iain Henderson
2nd choice: Robbie Diack

Much has been made of the talent of Iain Henderson. However it took him until midway through this season to show me his devastating ball-carrying abilities that lift teams. A future beckons on the international stage, perhaps at second row, but for now he had a great season at blindside. Needs to continue to improve next season and work even harder.

7. Tommy O'Donnell
2nd choice: Chris Henry

How Tommy O'Donnell is still uncapped for Ireland I'll never know. Probably my player of the season, O'Donnell stood up and fronted up like no other Munster player this season. Now Ireland's best openside, Schmidt could do worse than build his backrow around him next season.

8. Nick Williams
2nd choice: Peter O'Mahony

The IRUPA player of the year was devastating this year, showing a bigger workrate and ball carrying devastation than was seen during his time at Munster. Jamie Heaslip only contended in the last few weeks, while O'Mahony got better as the campaign went on.

9. Kieran Marmion
2nd choice: Conor Murray

The only player to start every game of the Rabo Pro12, Marmion has had a hugely successful breakout year, directly after graduating from the under 20s. His selection on the US tour is just reward for a fine season where he displayed maturity beyond his 21 years.

10. Ian Madigan
2nd choice: Jonathan Sexton

Whatever about Marmion's breakout year, Madigan rose to crazy heights this year. Firmly establishing himself as backup outhalf on the national stage after starring in Leinster's run in, and cementing his position as first choice once Sexton leaves. Sexton himself didn't have a bad season, and the national team missed him more than anyone once he was ruled out of the 6 Nations.

11. Simon Zebo
2nd choice: Isa Nacewa

Zebo is another to have a "breakout" year of sorts. Although he was established in the Munster set up, he's gone on to national prominence and his bit of skill against Wales was revered throughout the world

12. Luke Marshall
2nd choice: Dave McSharry

What a player Luke Marshall is. For more on my thoughts about him, check out my article that came out the day he was named in the side to play Scotland. If it wasn't for all of the concussions, young Luke might have been the bolter everyone wanted for the Lions. He is someone who has it all, and needs to be managed carefully next season.

13. Darren Cave
2nd choice: Brian O'Driscoll

Cave enjoyed a wonderful season in Ulster, and seems to enjoy playing outside Olding or Marshall and with running off the magicians that are Pienaar and Payne. Contenders in outside centre were hard to come by, and O'Driscoll gets in on his limited gametime.


14. Andrew Trimble
2nd choice: Craig Gilroy

For someone who scored as many tries, and important tries, for their province as Andrew Trimble did this season, it's baffling that he ends the season as low down on the international pecking order as he did. Trimble was one of Ulster's best performers, and with Gilroy and Bowe performing well when injured, Trimble has stepped up to the challenge to keep his spot in the Ulster XV.

15. Jared Payne
2nd choice: Robbie Henshaw

What can you say about Jared Payne? He is just a magician. He is one of the reasons why Ulster were so much better than last year. He's one of the reasons why the difference between Leinster and Ulster was reduced by 24 points in a year. He will be a huge asset to Ireland when he qualifies. Robbie Henshaw had a great breakthrough year too directly out of school. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Breakdown:
Connacht 2+4;
Leinster 1+3;
Munster 4+3;
Ulster 8+5;

Super Rugby Round 15 Review

Another great weekend of Super Rugby, with shocks, attention about to switch to the internationals, and of course; plenty of entertainment and tries.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

Chiefs 28 -19 Crusaders

The Chiefs underlined their defense of their title without Sonny Bill Williams with a 9 point victory in a cracker of a game. Chiefs move to the top of the table with 52 points, and Crusaders hanging onto 6th place and a wild card spot with 42.

Rebels 24-22 Waratahs

The Rebels push on from just peforming well, and actually take down an in form Waratahs. The hit that this would have had on the Tahs playoff hopes wasn't as big, as most of their rivals also managed to lose. But with only 5 rounds left they are 3 points off 6th and can't afford another loss. The Rebels are now closer to the likes of the Stormers and the Sharks than the teams they were expected to battle it out with at the bottom of the league.

Blues 13- 20 Brumbies

Another loss for a playoff contender, the Blues are in 7th place on the basis of less games won compared to the Crusaders. The Brumbies are hanging onto 1st place in the Australian conference, having been caught at the top of the overall league.

Western Force 19-18 Highlanders

A massive win for the Force, who like Sean Fitzpatrick said over the weekend, are earning the respect of the other Super Rugby teams. In Kyle Godwin, the Force have a future superstar on their hands, and in Nic "sweating like a gypsy with a mortgage" Cummins, they have a rival to Mark Robson's outrageous simile's throne.

Southern Kings 22 - 34 Cheetahs

The Cheetahs are one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the world. Willie le Roux and co are running riot this season, and this win lifts them to 4th place in the table and into the playoffs. A deserved place in the table based on watching them this season, and they have a bye on the way.

Stormers 20 -15 Reds

The Stormers have been having a terrible season, and this win arrests some poor form, but with 34 points and in 11th place, they have no hope of dangering the playoff spots and will just look to avoid the relegation match with the Kings.

Sharks 16-18 Bulls

The Bulls have been the only one of the SA giants to have performed this year with the Sharks and Stormers struggling for unknown reasons. Bulls are top of the SA conference, with just the Cheetahs to challenge them for that spot. Next weeks game in Bloemfontein will be crucial.

Fantasy

After reducing the gap to 40 points last week, Cillian Hogan had a terrible week, dropping to fourth and is now 150 points off 1st. Not out of it, yet but with time running out. The gap between 1st and 2nd has increased to 90 points. The battle for 5th swung again, with Murray Kinsella regaining and opening up a lead.

Australian celebrities didn't do brilliantly, with all of us gaining on them, and Tim Horan had his lead cut considerably.

Head to Head

Cillian Hogan maintained his win streak, and has a 4 point lead to 2nd, with a gap of 8 points to 3rd. Multiple Scoregasms is fighting it out with average to avoid the wooden spoon.

Ulster v Leinster Head to Head

See my preview here

Before the teams were announced, I was finding it hard to separate the finalists of the Pro12.

Both teams have announced very strong teams, with strong benches. Both provinces are developing depth, especially when you consider the likes of Sean O'Brien, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy are all not involved through injury.

So who has the better team?

15. Fullback- Jared Payne vs Rob Kearney

Both are fantastic players. On form, both are among the best in the world. Kearney has the edge in defense, while Payne has a little bit more magic about him in attack. On his day, Kearney is devastating on the counter attack, while Payne gets involved more in play, playing a playmaking role out wide that Ulster have used to great effect this season. Kearney has been a shadow of his former self since returning from injury, so Payne just edges it.

Choice: Jared Payne - but not by much.

14. Right Winger - Andrew Trimble vs Fergus McFadden

Two players who started out their careers in the centre, with Trimble having resigned himself to a career on the wing, while McFadden is probably more suited to inside centre. Most recent Irish selections suggest that McFadden is ahead of Trimble, but I think that must be due to his increased versatility, and Trimble's form this year cannot be ignored.

Choice: Andrew Trimble - again, not by much.

13. Outside Centre - Darren Cave vs Brian O'Driscoll 

Not as close as the previous two selections, but Cave has done well this year, and is currently 2nd in line to O'Driscoll's green jersey

Choice: Brian O'Driscoll

12. Inside Centre - Stuart Olding vs Ian Madigan

In a few years this may be closer. Both players are filling in for an injury. Both started out as outhalves, while Olding may have found his best position, the 10 jersey suits Madigan more. His pass works well as a 12, but his playmaking ability and small stature marks him out as a ten. Madigan has come on a lot this year, as an outhalf and a player, and is my pick here.

Choice Ian Madigan

11. Left Wing - Tommy Bowe vs Isa Nacewa

Maybe I should have put the wingers up against their direct opposition, because both of these players should make it. It's almost impossible to split them, and both have hugely positive impacts on their teams.

Choice: Isa Nacewa - It's his last game and everything

10. Outhalf - Paddy Jackson vs Johnny Sexton

Johnny Sexton is the Lions 10, and the best outhalf in the Northern Hemisphere. This one is conclusive.

Choice: Johnny Sexton

9. Scrumhalf - Ruan Pienaar vs Isaac Boss

This one is almost as conclusive as the outhalf choice. Ruan Pienaar is the single most important player for Ulster.

Choice: Ruan Pienaar

1. Loosehead - Tom Court vs Cian Healy

Tom Court isn't the liability he once was, but at the same time, Healy is one of the best looseheads in the world, and at 25, is nowhere near his peak.

Choice: Cian Healy

2. Hooker - Rory Best vs Richardt Strauss

Rory Best was stupidly overlooked for the Lions. He has been immense this season, with the exception of a few wayward throws. He'll be looking to prove Gatland wrong. Injury meant that Strauss wasn't able to challenge Best for the Irish jersey. His upbringing as a backrower is evident in his play, and he plays differently to most other hookers.

Choice - Rory Best - just.

3. Tighthead - John Afoa vs Mike Ross

Mike Ross has saved Ireland on countless times. His scrummaging ability is the reason why Ireland are competitve sometimes. He doesn't offer much else around the park, but remains vital to Irish hopes. Not only is Afoa a fearsome scrummager, he offers a lot around the pitch, with great carries, vital steals and defending the fringes of rucks with aplomb.

Choice - John Afoa

4. Loosehead Lock - Johann Muller vs Leo Cullen

Leo Cullen is one of those players that you don't realise his important unless you play with him, and you see all the work and "tricks" that he comes up with in a game. However, Muller is a better lineout operator, a better leader, and offers more bulk in scrums.

Choice - Johann Muller

5. Tightead Lock - Dan Tuohy vs Devin Toner

I rate Dan Tuohy very highly and can't understand why he isn't higher in the pecking order with Ireland. Toner has finally improved and shown some talent in recent weeks, but not enough for me to pick him over Tuohy here.

Choice - Dan Tuohy

6. Blindside Flanker Robbie Diack vs Kevin McLaughlin

Kevin McLaughlin gets through a huge amount of work, but so does Diack, and Diack is significantly better in the loose, and able to play anywhere in the back 5.

Choice - Robbie Diack

7. Openside Flanker Chris Henry vs Shane Jennings

Choice: Chris Henry

8. No. 8 - Nick Williams vs Jamie Heaslip

Choice: Jamie Heaslip

Subs:

16. Sub Hooker - Rob Herring vs Sean Cronin

Sean Cronin is a great rugby player, fantastic in the loose, with speed and ball handling skills. Unfortunately he can't do a hooker's primary job which is throwing. I'd still prefer him in my team than Herring though.

Choice- Sean Cronin

17. Sub Loosehead - Callum Black vs Jack McGrath

Both have had good seasons, with Jack McGrath showing a bit more potential. Excited to see him develop as Leinster's number 2 no. 1 next season.

Choice: Jack McGrath

18. Sub Tighthead - Declan Fitzpatrick vs Jamie Hagan

Typical that Hagan only now begins to show why people were waxing lyrical about him after he's decided to leave. On this form he is the back up to Ross for Ireland ahead of Fitzpatrick.

Choice: Jamie Hagan

19. Sub 2nd row - Iain Henderson vs Quinn Roux

Injuries have disrupted Roux's season, and next season big things are expected of him. But for now, Henderson has finally shown me what the fuss is about with some barnstorming runs, and uplifting carries for his team. His work rate needs to improve, but there is a lot of talent to work with.

Choice: Iain Henderson

20. Sub Back Row - Mike McComish vs Rhys Ruddock

Rhys Ruddock is another I rate very highly. He is a leader, that gets through a huge amount of work, and a good lineout option. McComish is not the same standard as Ruddock

Choice Rhys Ruddock

21. Sub Scrumhalf - Paul Marshall vs John Cooney

Paul Marshall hasn't had a lot of opportunities, yet finds himself in the Irish set up by the virtue of some exciting cameos. Whenever he comes on, Ulster play at a higher tempo and frequently score tries. Cooney is a similar player, with a solid quick pass, but is inexperienced, and has yet to display his full potential

Choice - Paul Marshall

22. Sub Inside back - Mike Allen vs Andrew Goodman

Mike Allen is another that impressed me during the 6 Nations when the Ulster frontliners were away. Comfortable on the wing and centre, he has a bright future ahead of him, starting with Emerging Ireland this summer. Goodman has been solid since arriving, but I can't help but think he is over-rated. Maybe he'll prove me wrong next season.

Choice Mike Allen

23. Sub Outside Back - Peter Nelson vs Andrew Conway

Conway has been earmarked for stardom since starring for Blackrock in the Leinster Junior Cup of 2007. Since then he has made quite a rise, but has stalled a bit, meaning that his move to Munster could suit all parties. Nelson is still part of the Ulster academy, and has featured quite a bit for the first team this season, showing how highly he is rated. 

Choice Andrew Conway

Conclusion:
Starting Lineup:
Ulster 9
Leinster 6

Replacements:
Ulster 3
Leinster 5

While Ulster have more head to head victories, I think Leinster have the more comprehensive victories. This game is very tight, and could be decided by a mistake.

Super Rugby Round 14 Review

Hurricanes 12 - 17 Chiefs

An unusually boring game by New Zealand standards, with the defending champions winning out. This leaves the Chiefs top of the New Zealand conference, with the Canes struggling in 9th place. Time is running out for the Canes to rescue their season.

DTOTY: Gareth Anscombe (315)

Rebels 30 - 21 Stormers

The first game this season that the Rebels had to play without both James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale and they continued their performances and managed to beat a poor Stormers side. Jason Woodward has been one of the better players for the Rebels this season.

DTOTW: Scott Higginbotham (48), Hugh Pyle (40), Andries Bekker (37)
DTOTY: Ged Robinson (470), Hugh Pyle (351), Scott Higginbotham (337), James O'Connor (305), Nick Phipps (144)

Force 13 - 23 Sharks

The Force held up well here, and despite some big performances from Kyle Godwin and Pat Delitt, the Sharks just snuck it.

DTOTW: Kyle Godwin (48), Pat Delitt (30)
DTOTY: Pek Cowan (296)

Crusaders 23 - 3 Blues

This is one result which shocked me to be honest. The Crusaders hadn't been in the best form coming into this, and to keep the Blues tryless is some feat. Lets see if this is a one off performance that has been all too regular for the Crusaders this season.

DTOTW: Ben Funnell (53), Owen Franks (42)
DTOTY: Steven Luatua (348), Rene Ranger (324), Charles Piatau (320)

Waratahs 28 - 22 Brumbies

Another big win for the Waratahs who are right in contention for a playoff spot. Both the Australian teams above them lost last weekend. They still need to win almost all of their remaining matches to stay in contention. It looks to me as if the season is over for anyone under the Tahs on the table.

DTOTW: Michael Hooper (53),
DTOTY: Israel Folau (401)

Bulls 35 - 18 Highlanders

Another efficient performance from the Bulls, and another shocker from the Highlanders, that win two weeks ago looks like a flash in the pan, as opposed to the turning point that many thought it would be.

DTOTW: Ben Smith (32)

Cheetahs 27 - 13 Reds

A Massive result for both these teams, the Cheetahs appear to be genuine playoff contenders, and they haven't let the loss of Johan Goosen upset them at all. Their players were rewarded with Springbok call ups during the week, with Labuschagne and le Roux making overdue appearances in the training squad.

DTOTW: Piet van Zyl (43), Pieter Labuschagne (43), Luke Morahan (32)
DTOTY: James Slipper (364), Pieter Labuschagne (338), Robert Ebersohn (258)

FANTASY:

A Great week for Cillian Hogan, who moves to within 42 points of the lead. Garbhan Hogan got the highest of the round with 434 which brings him within 100 points of 1st. It's beginning to get tight at the top again.

Head to Head results:

Multiple Scoregasms 268 - 340 Ball Handling Hooker
The Weshties 301- 249 GlasUlstermanNSW
Ireland's Answer 351 - 367 Les Mecs
Average 302 - 400 Poseidon's Belvedere

This leaves Cillian Hogan with a 4 point lead at the top.

Ulster vs Leinster Rabo Pro 12 Final Preview

As seen here

Ulster and Leinster have had very contrasting seasons up to this point, but that counts for nothing when the two best teams from this season's Pro 12 clash in the RDS in Dublin on Saturday 25th May. It should prove to be an enthralling match, as all local derbies are, and I for one, am hoping that this success for the Irish provinces will translate onto the national scene once Joe Schmidt moves from Leinster head coach to the Irish national job.

As mentioned already, the teams have had very different seasons, with Ulster starting this season in superb form before fading and stuttering into this final, while Leinster didn't start as well, before picking up momentum after Christmas and storming into two finals.

Ulster's early season form was the envy of Europe, with game unbeaten run finally halted by Northampton in Round 4 of the Heineken Cup in December. In the middle of this, the tragic passing of promising centre Nevin Spence seemed to spur them, and this will help get the neutrals on their side come Saturday.

Leinster started badly, and were left requiring a maximum haul of 10 points from 10 in the final two rounds of the Heineken Cup and a miracle from other games to avoid missing out on the quarter finals for the first time in . Unfortunately, while they did what was required of them, it didn't come to pass, and they were left to rue poor early season form that left them out of the Heineken Cup and with points to make up on leaders Ulster at the halfway stage of the Rabo Pro 12.

Leinster will be hoping to win for departing players Jonathan Sexton and Isa Nacewa, as well as incoming Irish coach Joe Schmidt. Nacewa is a Leinster legend, who is retiring at the young age of 30 to move back to new Zealand. Leinster have lost at this stage for the last three years in a row and will want to put that right.

Both teams will want to win more than just for the final.

Ulster have a strong scrum, bolstered by John Afoa, the mighty All Black, Rory Best, who was desparately unlucky not to receive a call up for the Lions, and Tom Court who seems to grow in their presence. Johann Muller, the captain, is ably assisted by Dan Tuohy in the engine room, and they provide Ulster with great options out of touch. A back row made up of 3 from Iain Henderson, the young marauder, Robbie Diack who has been in great form, Chris Henry and someone who should be familiar to Italian followers, Nick Williams. Williams has been in outstanding form this season, winning the Rabo Pro 12 player of the year. Before Christmas he was swatting opposing players away at will.

Ruan Pienaar runs the game from scrumhalf, and eases young Paddy Jackson into games. Stuart Olding, who will feature for the Ireland in the Junior World Cup in the summer is the last man standing at inside centre, with Darren Cave enjoying a wonderful campaign. Tommy Bowe, Ulster's only 2013 Lion, is back from injury and scoring tries, with Andrew Trimble having his best season for Ulster, and Jared Payne weaving his magic from fullback. This Ulster team has threats throughout the side.

Leinster rested a large cohort of their first team in last week's victorious final vs Stade Francais. Cian Healy is likely to come in, assisted by Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross providing a solid platform from the scrum. Devin Toner is in good form in the back end of the season, and is likely to partner Leo Cullen in the second row. Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip in the back row, after Sean O'Brien limped out of the Amlin final.

Isaac Boss will continue to partner Jonny Sexton, in his last game for at least two years for Leinster. Ian Madigan and Brian O'Driscoll will form the midfield partnership, with Rob Kearney coming back into form (finally), and Isa Nacewa and Andrew Conway making their last appearances for the province.

As for predictions, I keep going back a forth. Ulster have beaten Leinster twice this season, recording their first win in Dublin for 13 seasons. While Leinster are now in form, have rested a number of key players and will not want to lose this final for the third year in a row. It's going to be a tense game, with no more than a score in the difference.

Prediction: Leinster to win.

New York City Rugby: A Novel Idea

As Ireland prepares to play the U.S. in June, there’s an interesting peek at rugby in New York City in Michael J. Malone’s new novel No Never No More. The book is centered around Declan Coulter, a first-generation Irishman raised in Alphabet City, and a flanker on the Village Vipers RFC--a ragtag club frequently on the losing end of matches with a hard band of Irish immigrants in the Bronx called the Bainbridge Barbarians.

The novel is also a peek at New York in 1999—post-grunge, pre-Sept. 11, full of dot-com buzz and increasingly anxious about a phantom menace called Y2K.

A member of the Village Lions RFC (villagelions.org) in New York for the past 20 years, Malone plays occasional old boys rugby now. His writing has appeared in the NY Times, Rugby Magazine (US), Rugby World (UK) and Playboy, and his favorite assignments include covering the ’99 World Cup in Dublin and a Guinness pub giveaway in Listowel.

No Never No More is available on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/No-Never-More-novel/dp/0985632828/) and the e-book is scheduled for a May 21 release.

Heineken Cup Qualification 2013/2014

After crunching some numbers, depending on results on Friday, this will be the seedings for next year's Heineken Cup.

On Friday, Leinster play Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup final. Leinster have already qualified for next year's Heineken Cup, but Stade haven't, and a victory for them earns their qualification. If Leinster win, a spot in next year's qualification goes to Connacht by virtue of them being the only team in their country not to have qualified so far.

On Saturday, Toulon play Clermont in an all French final. Both teams have already qualified, so there's one spot up for grabs.

Here's where things get slightly complicated. French and English clubs are capped at 7 for the Heineken Cup, i.e. both countries can only have 6 or 7. So, if Stade Francais win on Friday night, they will enter next season's Heineken Cup as the 7th French team. This means that the spot that would usually go to the first French team that haven't qualified because of their domestic position (Perpignan), would actually go to the highest ERC ranked team that hasn't qualified but is eligible. (Wasps)

Which means:
On Friday night:
A Leinster win - Connacht and Perpignan are through to the Heineken Cup
A Stade win - Stade and Wasps are through to the Heineken Cup.

i.e. Nothing depends on Saturday

Got it?

Therefore the seedings for next year's competition will be:

1st Seeds (1-6)

1. Leinster
2. Clermont /Toulon (The winners on Saturday will move to 2nd, but it has no realistic effect)
3. Toulouse
4. Toulon / Clermont
5. Munster
6. Ulster / Stade (If Stade win on Friday, they'll move to 6th, relegating Ulster to 2nd seeds)

2nd Seeds (7-12)

7. Ulster / Northampton
8. Northampton / Harlequins
9. Harlequins / Cardiff
10. Cardiff / Saracens
11. Saracens / Leicester
12. Leicester / Perpignan (If Leinster win, Perpignan sneak in here, which lifts Ulster up to 1st seeds, as Stade won't qualify)

3rd Seeds (13-18)

13. Edinburgh
14. Wasps / Ospreys (If Wasps get in)
15. Ospreys / Scarlets
16. Scarlets / Glasgow
17. Glasgow/ Montpeiller
18. Montpeiller / Connacht (It's between Wasps / Connacht)

4th Seeds (19-24)

19. Gloucester
20. Castres
21. Racing
22. Exeter
23. Treviso
24. Zebre

Meaning there could be a group of:

Leinster
Harlequins
Glasgow
Racing

or a group of:
Stade
Perpignan
Edinburgh
Zebre