Round 2!

So the first round of the Heineken Cup produced some interesting scores. Perpignan, the French giant, lost to lowly Treviso. It is certainly the biggest Italian victory in the history of European Cup rugby, if not the biggest in Italian club history. Unfortunately, it probably will not be repeated this week. London Irish topped the Champions, Leinster, who looked trapped by Irish's wonderful defense. Leinster often looked the better attacking team, only to come up short in their own (usually great) defense. The Ospreys fought back to tie Leicester and should be pretty happy with that draw, given the fact that they were away from home and nearly lost it to Leicester in the end, who had to fight back from a huge deficit.

Round 2

Pool 1

Munster v. Treviso. While Treviso won last week and Munster lost, it is inconceivable that Munster would lose at home to an Italian minnow. It might not be a massive victory, if Treviso can manage to bring some of that spunk they showed last week to Thomond Park, but it should be a Munster victory nonetheless.

Perpignan v. Saints. This game looks to be one of the better games of the weekend. The Saints will be going to France on a high after defeating the Heineken Cup poster boys last weekend. Unfortunately, the French will be looking to strike back and restore some of their pride from not only the Heineken Cup, but their poor season to date. However, if Geraghty can manage to find half the brilliance he showed last weekend, Northampton can smile atop Pool 1 yet again.

Pool 2

Dragons v. Warriors. This Magners League match-up looks to possibly be a season turner for the Dragons, should they get a win. Gloucester had a scare last week as they relied on a Welshman's boot to secure a very late penalty and a win over the lowly Welsh team. The Dragons have never performed well in Europe and it would take an immense effort to recreate what they had last weekend. Glasgow, on the other hand, has been very solid in the early weeks of the Magners League, and should be able to pull out a victory.

Biarritz v. Gloucester. While this would have been a massively important game in years past, it is not the highlight it used to be. Its still a big game, but Biarritz has lost some of their luster and Gloucester never performs in the biggest of games. Yet, Biarritz defends their home turf very well and look to be in prime position to add a second win to their season.

Pool 3

Viadana v. Leicester. Clermont put almost 20 points past the Italians, and the English team of Leicester will do better than that. Win for Leicester.

Ospreys v. Clermont. This is the game of the weekend. The Ospreys need a big boost to get their season rolling in both the Heineken Cup and Magners League, although their two point draw last week could help them when Leicester visit Wales in January. The best team in France is Clermont, at the moment, and despite a relatively low victory margin against Viadana, they should give Ospreys a huge run. The Ospreys have the most potential of any team in Europe, and consistently fail to reach it. However, with Gavin Henson on leave, they are better off. He is a fantastic player but, he never looks like he wants to play. He is overly nonchalant. With Biggar and Hook running the show, the Ospreys should be able to give the home crowd a victory.

Now, if we can only get a consistent showing from Shane Williams. The man is the essence of brilliance on minute, and utterly anonymous the next.

~Tyler

So After last week's show I might as well throw all of my predictions out the window. Congrats to the Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets, way to represent Wales!

Pool 4:

Edinburgh vs. Ulster: Now I got these two teams predicted right, and Ulster has stopped the Edinburgh show already this season, and Edinburgh has been on quite a down swing since their firey start. So to put things simply I expect Ulster to beat Edinburgh.

Stade Francais vs. Bath: I have to stick with my French predictions on this one. Stade is looking to get in a groove, and Bath isn't likely to be the team to stop them.

Pool 5:

Cardiff Blues vs. Sale: As the Blues turned things around last week against the 'Quins I have a small hope for the Blues this weekend. So for my upset of the weekend I choose the Blues to beat the 'Quins.

Toulouse vs. Harlequins: After the 'Quin's lose to the Blues last weekend they appear to be stumbling just a bit, Toulouse on the other hand, they took a victory when it was presented to them. So i have all faith that Toulouse will win again this weekend.

Pool 6:

Scarlets vs. London Irish: Now I am ecstatic that I got the Scarlet's prediction wrong, and have faith that this may be the momentum swing they have been needing for years, but it comes at an ill time. Personally if the Scarlets weren't playing a Heiniken Cup game this weekend, and they weren't playing on of the top three team, I would say they would win. But instead they are playing the London Irish, who have just stolen a victory from Leinster. Two teams with season making, or breaking, momentum, but only one will win. Once again I have to shy away from my club team and say that The Irish will walk off the feild the victors.

Leinster vs. Brive: Two teams searching for redemption. Origional pool favorites, Leinster, were popped in the face by the Irish last weekend. And moderate performing Brive was upset by the struggling Scarlets. Needless to say this is a must win for both teams, but I will go with Leinster again this weekend, who knows, if I'm wrong again then the Scarlets may be better off that I thought.

~Conner