ULSTER CAPTAIN JOHANN Muller is well placed to judge the true standard and value of the Heineken Cup as it heads into what could be its final season.
The South African lock played eight seasons of Super Rugby with the Sharks, led them to a Currie Cup in 2008, won a World Cup with the Springboks in 2007, made 24 international appearances for his country and appeared in the 2012 Heineken Cup final. That CV makes his opinion valuable.
Now, he is getting ready to launch his side at Europe’s premier club trophy again, with Premiership champions Leicester Tigers visiting Ravenhill on Friday night for what should be a classic encounter. Games like this are what makes the tournament so special in Muller’s eyes.
It’s a great competition with great history and the quality of teams that play in it makes it a real spectacle. You want to play in a competition like that, you want to play against the best in the world and the best in Europe and I think the Heineken Cup is the perfect platform for that.”
Three of the four Irish provinces will be centering their targets on the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff next May, but Muller is keen to stress that there are many other quality teams barring the way. The 33-year-old is of the belief that fortune is a key element to any potential success.
“I truly believe there are 10 to 12 teams who can win this tournament. You need a bit of luck, you need things to go your way, you need injuries to go your way. As long as we put ourselves in a position where we can compete for a quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals; things will happen for us.”
The spending power of French clubs like Toulon, Racing Metro and Clermont marks them out as potential dangers in Europe, while Ulster will have to contend with an ever-improving and ever-wealthier Montpellier in Pool 5 this season.
The northern province may not have the finances of their French counterparts, but Muller highlights the level of depth they have managed to build under Mark Anscombe and, before him, Brian McLaughlin.
“There’s competition in every single position and I think that’s really important. It brings the best out of every player. 1 to 15 there are guys pushing for a position and sometimes there are great players who have to sit on the bench or miss out on the 23.
“That’s what you want to create from a coaching point of view and from a players point of view, you’re going to play as well as possible to keep your position. It’s great credit to our academy. Bringing guys through and showing that they can play international level is great testament to the quality of the work that has gone on there.”
Having reached the final of the Heineken Cup in 2012, as well as losing last season’s Pro12 final, there is a real sense that Ulster need to get their hands on silverware in order to crown the growth of recent years.
“People sometimes label us as a team who gets so close, but have nothing to show for it. Has there been progress at Ulster Rugby? Yes, massive growth. We didn’t get out of our pool for 13 years-in-a-row and we’ve done it three years in a row now.
We’ve played in a semi-final and a final. We’ve played in the semi-finals and the final of the Pro12. Still we don’t have anything to show for it, but the growth is there, the squad is there and anything can happen.”
First up in Ulster’s quest for European success is the visit of Leicester on Friday night at what should be a sell-out Ravenhill. Richard Cockerill’s men have had a decent start to the season and sit third in the Premiership after three wins in their opening five games.
Ulster were drawn against the Tigers in the pool stage of the Heineken Cup two seasons ago, when they won comfortably at Ravenhill after losing at Welford Road, but they have also met the East Midlands side far more recently. In August, the sides met at Welford road for a pre-season friendly, with Leicester emerging as 30-13 winners.
“I tell you what, there’s a reason they’re Premiership champions. We obviously played them in a warm-up game and got a proper hiding, with reason. They’re a great squad and a great team. Hopefully the confidence has been building in our squad and I’m sure Friday night will be a cracker at Ravenhill.”
