Champions Cup Draw – What The Opposition Say

Following yesterday’s Champions Cup pool draw, we get the reaction of representatives from our Pool 4 opposition – Leicester Tigers, Stade Francais and Benetton Treviso.

Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley took to twitter following yesterday’s draw;

Tough groups all round – coming up against some old foes, with both happy and not so happy memories @MRSC16 @Munsterrugby #ChampionsCup

— Anthony Foley (@foleyag) June 17, 2015

Those ‘not so happy memories’ will undoubtedly include defeat to Leicester Tigers in the 2002 Heineken Cup final and, just shy of five years later, when the Englishmen became the first visiting side to defeat Munster at Thomond Park in European competition. Back in 2007 it was coach Marcelo Loffreda who masterminded the Tigers’ historic win in Limerick, an achievement that present boss Richard Cockerill will hope to replicate in the coming season’s Champions Cup.

The Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby spoke following yesterday’s draw, “It's not an easy draw, but they are all tough pools which is what you want to see in Europe's major knockout tournament. We'll look forward to entertaining big clubs like Munster and Stade Francais on big European days at Welford Road and, of course, we have played Treviso many times in recent seasons.

“Munster already have quality players and can be expected to recruit again. We've got some great memories of playing them in Europe – at just about every stage of the competition, from pool stages to the final of course.”

Pool 4 will also see Munster host, and travel to, the reigning French champions Stade Francais. Led by talismanic captain Sergio Parisse, the Parisians overcame Clermont Auvergne (who did the double on Munster last season) in the Top 14 final and will face-off with Munster for the first time since 2004. Indeed, as his tweet suggested, Foley will have ‘happy memories’ of that Heineken Cup quarter-final from 11 years ago – Munster taking the spoils 37-32 at a heaving Thomond Park.

The then Head Coach for the French-men Nick Mallet has since moved on and now former Argentina fly-half Gonzalo Quesada is tasked with avenging the defeat of 2004.

Giving his reaction to yesterday’s pool draw, Quesada said, “Frankly, it's a great honour facing historical clubs like Leicester and Munster. Back in the great European Cup, crossing the paths of two European giants, it's a real pleasure. We look forward to taking to the field at Thomond Park and to welcoming the Red Army to Jean-Bouin.

“I do not know if we will be ready or if the level is not too high for us, but like the Brennus Shield (Top 14 trophy), it is not forbidden to dream. With Top 14 games during the World Cup and the 6 Nations, there are several seasons in one season. It will be very demanding but we can’t let that constrain us.”

Guinness PRO12 side Benetton Treviso complete Pool 4. Well familiar with each other in terms of league action, not since 2009/10 have Munster and Treviso met in European competition – when Munster ran out convincing winners in both pool games. However, this time round, Foley’s charges can expect a far stiffer test from an Italian outfit who have continued to improve and develop in the subsequent five seasons.

Treviso’s Sporting Director Antonio Pavanello also spoke after yesterday’s event in Switzerland,

“Munster we know well having faced them for many years in the PRO12. They are a solid and determined team, as well as Leicester Tigers who we have already seen several times in this tournament.

Director of Rugby Marius Goosen added. “It 'a tough group, but I also see positive aspects. They are teams that we know quite well, so we know what to expect. Munster and Leicester play similar rugby in some ways and this can be an asset.”

Click here to see the full Pool Draw.

Dates, venues and kick-off times for Champions Cup fixtures will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The first round of pool fixtures will take place in November.