WELSH REGIONS ANTICIPATE TRICKY CAMPAIGNS
Pool 3 poses a tough test for the Ospreys as Stade were last season’s beaten finalists, the Tigers won the double, whilst Clermont Auvergne will be no pushovers. However, Ospreys Team Manager Derwyn Jones is relishing the opportunity of pitting his side against the best in Europe.
“It was a tough draw but you have to take the positives,” he said, “We aim to be the best and if we get out of this group then we are on the way there.”
Elsewhere, the Blues have been drawn against Calvisano, Perpignan and Leeds Tykes in Pool 2 and Blues Chief Executive Bob Norster recognises the tough test ahead.
“We have only just returned from the heat of Italy where we beat Viadana a couple of weeks ago but it will be nice to go back and take on a useful outfit in Calvisano” he said. The Blues’ Heineken Cup campaign will be littered with new experiences and will also have the added spice of a personal element when they face up to the Tykes.
“We have never been to Perpignan, either as a club or a region, so that will be a new experience,” said Norster, “And we have a former colleague of Dai and myself in Phil Davies at Leeds so that will be another tough encounter for us.”
Scarlets legend Scott Quinnell is excited at the prospect of full houses and top class rugby at Stradey Park after they were pitted against London Wasps, holders Toulouse and Edinburgh Rugby in Pool 6.
“There have been some great battles between the Scarlets, and Wasps and Toulouse in the past and you can be assured of the same again,” he said. “It will be brilliant to see Stradey Park sold out for all their home games.”
The fourth Welsh team in the draw, the Dragons, have been drawn against Sale Sharks, Munster and Castres Olympique in Pool 1 to complete a draw that will pose a real challenge to the Welsh regions who still face uncertainty over their participation in the Celtic League next season.
