The Heineken Cup Returns

And what a return it has made! A fantastic start to what can only be described as the greatest annual rugby tournament. The first round matches produced some fantastic spectacles to those who could draw their eyes away from the action at Cheltenham and Wembley.

The last match of the day between Munster and Northampton probably provided what this betting blog considers will be one of the greatest finishes to a rugby match for a long time to come. With Munster trailing at 21-20 they went back and forth through an amazing 41 phases of play to try to manoeuvre their record points scorer Ronan O’Gara into position to score his injury time winning drop goal. Saints put up a fantastic defense but O’Gara produced a magnificent long range effort and secured the home team victory in Limerick.

Another Irish team produced equally as exciting a finish to their match. Defending champions Leinster managed to claw back form trailing 13-6 at half time thanks to Fulgence Ouedraogo’s breakaway try. Francois Trinh-Duc extended the home teams lead early on in the second half and a home victory looked almost assured. Leinster fought back bravely in the second half and referee Dave Pearson awarded them a penalty in the dying moments of the game providing Johnny Sexton the opportunity to tie the game amid the boos, cheers and whistles of the home fans.

Now some gambling advice. Hopefully, the three games today can produce equally as exciting results and matches, with Glasgow at home to Bath, Saracens at home to Treviso and Toulouse hosting Gloucester. From a betting point of view no big bets for me today, although I can see Bath beating the hosts convincingly having strung together a few tough wins recently, and will go into the match brimming with confidence. I have availed myself of some of the 10/11 available with some of the High Street firms off scratch.

In the other live match of the day I think Gloucester will face a very tough challenge at stade Ernest-Wallon. Although Gloucester secured their first away victory this season last week giving them a confidence boost the Toulose half back combination of Luke Burgess and Luke McAlister will prove a tough challenge. Thus I have had a small play on Toulouse -12 on the handicap as I can see them proving a step too far for Gloucester tomorrow afternoon.

Whatever happens we are in for a feast of action tomorrow and this season promises to carry on where the World Cup left off.