Features

No lack of fizz in Heineken Cup

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 21/10/2009
Rugby Union betting

This season's Heineken Cup has kicked off in dramatic fashion with last year's victors Leinster enduring mixed fortunes in the opening two rounds.

They were shocked on their opening appearance at home to London Irish, going down 12-9.

England youngster Ryan Lamb kicked a 79th minute penalty to snatch a last-gasp victory for the Exiles and spoil the Dublin province's return to the competition.

They were not to be undone in their second clash at French outfit and 1996/97 Heineken Cup winners Brive.

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The Irishmen ran away with victory and a 36-13 success came as a timely boost despite the visitors running in just three tries and missing out on a bonus point.

Leicester Tigers, last season's losing finalists, played out a thrilling 32-32 draw with Ospreys at their newly developed Welford Road on the opening weekend.

The perennial princes of Wales led at one point by 18 points, but a stirring second-half revival gained momentum and the Tigers crossed four times to Ospreys' three to grab a bonus point at the end of proceedings.

Leicester gathered maximum points in the second round of fixtures when they demolished Italian outfit Viadana 46-11.

A hat-trick from Scott Hamilton caused much of the damage as they returned from northern Italy victorious.

Narrow sportsbook second favourites Munster also suffered a disappointing opening day defeat.

The Irish side have won two of the last four competitions and have played in four finals, lost out to Northampton Saints 31-27 at Franklin Gardens.

England outside half Shane Geraghty scored 21 of his side's 31 points to help his side upset the fancied visitors.

Munster turned their fortunes around in the second round of fixtures with a 41-10 success against Italians Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park in Limerick.

The Italians had threatened to cause an upset as they raced into a 10-point lead but the classy Magners League champions scored five second-half tries to claim maximum points.

Two-time winners and French giants Toulouse have started as they mean to go on with back-to-back victories.

On the opening weekend they beat Sale Sharks 36-17 with Vincent Clerc the chief tormentor going over twice for the hosts.

The French outfit then demonstrated their fighting qualities as they turned a 14 point half-time deficit around to beat Harlequins 23-19 at the Stoop.

French league champions Perpignan suffered a sensational 9-8 loss against their Italian counterparts Benetton Treviso.

The Italians have suffered miserably against the French side in recent times and until this victory they had lost all six previous meetings.

Perpignan atoned for their poor defeat by dismissing Northampton Saints 29-13 during round two.

The Ospreys, who finished fourth in last season's Magners League, have started strongly following their epic 32-32 draw with Leicester Tigers and a narrow 25-24 success at the Liberty Stadium versus Clermont Auvergne.

So far the French sides look in good nick, with Biarritz and Stade Francais starting with back-to-back successes.

England flanker Magnus Lund scored the only try of the game as Biarritz beat Glasgow Warriors 22-18 at Firhill during the opening round.

In their second clash they turned Gloucester over 42-15 with Takudzwa Ngwenya scoring a hat-trick of tries as they claimed the victory and the bonus point with five touchdowns.

Stade Francais handsomely trounced Edinburgh 31-7 scoring four tries in the process to gain maximum points.

First-half tries from Julien Arias, Sergio Parisse, Pascal Pape and Lionel Beauxis made sure the points were wrapped up inside the first half hour.

The Paris outfit came through a tougher second round clash as they edged out Bath 29-27 at the Recreation Ground.

Julien Dupy broke Bath hearts once again as he struck a late penalty to swing the tie the visitors way.

The teams now enter a prolonged break from Heineken Cup duties due to the upcoming November internationals and they will resume play in the competition on the weekend commencing December 11.

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