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Heineken Cup half-term report: usual suspects move into view

Paul Ring reflects on the European Cup standings.

MEET THE NEW boss, same as the old boss.

With the all-important double header done and dusted, the group phase of the Heineken cup has taken shape with a familiar look at the top of the pools.

Pool six

The champions Toulouse have galloped clear of the pack in pool six. Despite not reaching the heights they are accustomed to, Guy Noves side have comfortably negotiated the opening four games with four wins.

The almost obscene depth of their squad coupled with a seemingly certain home quarter final marks them out as favourites to retain their title.

Pool five

Pool five is delicately poised with three sides in contention.

Leicester and Perpignan played out a draw at Welford Road last time around leaving the Scarlets clear on top by two points with Leicester next up for them at home. That is a must-win for the Welsh region.

Their refreshing brand of attacking rugby deserves to be rewarded but with Perpignan going to Treviso next and Leicester also having the Italian minnows at home in round six anything less than four points at home to Leicester will see the Scarlets fail once again to secure a quarter final berth.

Pool four

The addition of Springbok steel has helped Ulster seize the initiative in pool four.

They lie second to last year’s finalists Biarritz but the French side must visit Ravenhill in round five.

Biarritz remain Europe’s curate egg. Capable of destroying anyone, but also prone to losing to the likes of Aironi. Ulster will meet them with relish.

Stephen Ferris provided the pyrotechnics in round three against Bath but it has been the consistent kicking of Ian Humphries that has ensured that with two games to go, a quarter final slot is in their hands.

Pool three

This group has lived up to its billing as the pool of death. With two games left three teams are in realistic contention to top it.

The fourth, London Irish are still capable of spoiling the party for someone. Two-time winners Munster did as they so often do and snatched a bonus point away to the Ospreys in round four.

But the dripping worry of their scrum turned into a tidal wave of concern as it was blown away in Swansea.

They face pool-toppers Toulon next away from home in what should be a feisty affair given the comments from Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal about Limerick being a town financed by the IMF.

Whatever about the phoney war, should Munster negate Carl Hayman at scrum-time than they have enough to bring this pool to Thomand park on the last day.  If not, it is the Ospreys who will capitalise.

Pool two

Leinster have cruised into control of pool two. Despite a number of injuries decimating their back division before their trip to Clermont in round three, they emerged with a richly-deserved bonus point.

Their comfortabe dismissal of the same opposition in round four marks them out as second only to Toulouse when picking possible winners.

Mike Ross has shown why he is the answer to Ireland’s tight-head problems but it has been the sensational performances of Sean O’Brien that have stood out for the 2009 champions.

Clermont have disappointed. Having reached the holy grail of winning the Top 14 last year, they seem a contented team and may leave Europe’s grandest stage with barely a whimper.

Pool one

England’s greatest chance for success this year comes from the leaders of pool one. Northampton Saints are four from four and look set to clinch a home quarter final.

With bright, brash young things Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley leading the charge, they will be a match for anyone at Franklins Gardens. But the suspicion lingers that they still lack the half-back quality to challenge the likes of Toulouse or Leinster.

That’s it as it stands. There have been some sporadic shocks, and new kids like Toulon have joined the party. But with the pool stages about to finish expect the establishment to rule once again.

Paul Ring blogs at A View.

Usual suspects move into view in the Heineken Cup.