Edinburgh pull top guns in Heineken Cup draw

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 12/06/2012 12:28

EDINBURGH’S reward for qualifying as a second seed for the 2012-13 Heineken Cup has been to land former champions Munster, England’s leading club in Europe last season Saracens and a re-match with one of France’s nouveau riche, Racing Metro.

The draw sets up an intriguing return to his home province for the Scottish team’s Irish coach Michael Bradley.

Glasgow’s hopes of emulating their city rivals and reaching the last eight next season will hinge on battles with Northampton, Ulster and Castres, all teams who have lost to Scottish opposition in the past and so may be considered slightly ‘easier’ than Edinburgh’s pool.

DISCUSSION

Who has better chance of Scots do you reckon? Are Edinburgh now better-placed to take on the big names in Europe after this season’s run, and if yes, why? For Glasgow supporters, can their RaboDirect run in 2011-12 propel them towards wins in England, Ireland and France next season? Again, why?

And which is your ‘Group of Death’? Pool One is a real contender.

Give us your views in the comment section below and we will provide full coverage of the draw and reaction from Glasgow and Edinburgh, and others, in tomorrow’s newspaper edition and online.

HEINEKEN CUP DRAW 2012-13

Pool 1 – Munster, Edinburgh, Saracens, Racing Metro

Pool 2 – Toulouse, Leicester, Ospreys, Treviso

Pool 3 – Biarritz, Harlequins, Connacht, Zebre

Pool 4- Northampton, Ulster, Glasgow Warriors, Castres

Pool 5 - Leinster, Clermont Auvergne, Scarlets, Exeter Chiefs

Pool 6 – Cardiff Blues, Toulon, Sale Sharks, Montpellier

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