We asked ITC’s rugby consultant, Scott Hastings, to review the Heineken Cup and take a look forward into 2012 and beyond with some exciting tours ahead of us…

English Rugby has certainly not had its troubles to seek after the fall out from the Rugby World Cup. The review, of the review, of the review will surely lead to a clear out of senior staff in the RFU. It will be interesting to see if Rob Andrew holds onto his position and who steps in as CEO and Manager/Coach of England Rugby. I have said many times before that the players have to take responsibility for the debacle that happened in New Zealand and in moving forward many of the players across the 6 major northern hemisphere unions have many wrongs to put right.

The competition that allows that process to happen is the Heineken Cup. Now in its 17th season the match ups across Europe continues to excite and amaze. What an opening weekend we had in mid-November; arguably the best round one action ever. In Pool 1, take Munster’s magnificent 41 phases of possession followed by Ronan O’Gara’s clinically executed drop goal in overtime against Northampton to win by 23-21. True drama! Munster certainly have a habit of doing it and unbelievably they repeated this feat the following week against Castres, O’Gara, the magician once again nailing his drop goal magic trick. This was on the top of Leinster’s last gasp draw against Montpelier in Pool 3 with Jonny Sexton slotting a penalty with the last kick of the game and in Pool 6; Gloucester almost toppled Toulouse in the Stade Ernest-Wallon.

Harlequin supporters though will fancy their progress in this tournament and play Toulouse in the next back to back set of games. Who can ever forget their last home win against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup when Nick Evans dropped a goal in overtime after 27 phases? Not quite in Munster’s’ class but equally as dramatic. Glasgow tried to do ‘a Munster’ at home to Bath (also Pool 3) when young fly half Duncan Weir stepped up to pop over a drop goal again with the last play. The ball was half charged down and after taking a wicked bounce away from Nick Abendanon the Bath full back, the big mitts of Richie Gray gathered the ball and he sprinted in from 15yards having been played onside from the charge-down to win the game for the Warriors. However Leinster whipped them the following week and the defending champions will be hard to beat.

In Pool 2, Edinburgh top the pool with one point victories over London Irish and Racing Metro, the latter game producing and incredible score line of 48-47. Their back to back games against the Cardiff Blues in rounds 3&4 will be crucial as to who qualifies from this group but with so much class in both London Irish and Racing Metro these 2 teams will still have a say in who will win the group. Biarritz, Saracens and Ospreys are the fancied teams in Pool 5 to qualify for the latter stages although Ospreys draw with Benetton Treviso might count against them. Saracens look strong and the Aviva Premiership leaders have a formidable pack with John Smit the former Springbok World Cup winning Captain in their ranks. Finally in Pool 4 Leister Tigers slow start to the season will have a few fans chewing their nails but 2 opening wins in this pool will give them confidence. Clermont were beaten by Ulster in their opening match but face Leinster in the next 2 games and I believe the who ever comes out on top will go on to win the group.

Sevens Heaven
I am writing this blog from Dubai, covering the second leg of the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series. Fiji won the opening leg on the Gold Coast beating New Zealand in the final and the game of ‘Sevens’ is only set to get bigger as we head towards its debut in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio. ITC Sports clients can join me in Hong Kong in March 2012 for the premier event on the IRB circuit. If you really want to see Sevens at its magical best then jump aboard and come and experience this high fuelled action for real!

6 Nations & England in South Africa
The 6 Nations always offers up some surprises and 2012 should be no different. With England in Rome and Paris this year, there is plenty of opportunity to combine the delights of a European city break and top-class international rugby action – join me in Rome in February for ITC Sports’ escorted tour. England also tour South Africa for three Test Matches with their first full International tour since 1996. Finally, looking beyond into the summer of 2013, the cream of the four Home Nations teams will join together and play Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

For more information on the up-coming tours and to make a booking or register your interest, call 01244 355 390 or click here.