Heineken Cup Rugby 2013: Favourites to Win This Year’s Competition

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at Internationaled.org

Published: October 12, 2013

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After an off-season of grappling, talk of want-away nations and big-money TV deals, the Heineken Cup kicked off on Friday with its future still shrouded in uncertainty.

With the complicated negotiation process still ongoing, it has yet to be confirmed whether or not the French and English clubs will break away from the event, which is celebrating its 19th year, but it is looking increasingly likely that they will.



If this is to be the last edition of Europe’s premier rugby competition, then there will be many teams eagerly vying to be last to lift the coveted crown at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff next year. 

Here’s a look at the four teams that will most likely be left with the task of dimming the lights on the Heineken party after everyone else has gone home.

Toulon

Defending champions Toulon will be looking to join Leinster and Leicester as the only back-to-back winners of the Heineken Cup.

The French side resemble Real Madrid teams of old in rugby form, with galacticos running through the team, and strength and depth in all areas of the field.

On paper, Bernard Laporte’s free-scoring team look set to steam through the group stages, but they will face challenges along the way, particularly on their travels. 

The well-oiled machine, captained by Jonny Wilkinson, can sometimes splutter away from home and that has been evident this season with three losses on the road. While home wins are often commonplace in the Top 14, it is the sides Toulon have lost to that will worry them the most.

Defeats away to newly-promoted sides Grenoble and Oyonnax will have given their Pool 2 opponents—Cardiff Blues, Exeter and Glasgow—some belief.

But if Toulon can overcome their early-season travel sickness when the Heineken Cup kicks off, then they will be one of the favourites to take home the title.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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