Heineken Cup Back With A Bang

Llanelli look to be the best-placed club to surge into the quarter finals and a win against French giants Perpignan would provide a huge boost to the side currently top of the Welsh-Scottish league.
A win in France would blow the group wide open and set up a winner-takes-all showdown against Leicester next week at Stradey Park.
Judging from past seasons, the West Wales side have every reason to remain optimistic as they prepare to take on the French side.
Victories over Bourgoin and Colomiers prove the Scarlets have discovered the secret ingredient of winning on French soil.
Scott Quinnell will start the game from the bench having been ruled out for the last month with a knee injury, but is expected to play a part in the game.
Coach Gareth Jenkins said: “This is a big game for us and we know we have to win if we are to progress in the tournament.
“The secret to playing on French soil is not to try and play a running game because there is noone better than the French at that. What you have to do is try and silence the crowd which in turn will affect the team’s temperament.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff will be bidding to keep their Heineken Cup dreams alive with a morale boosting win over Montferrand at the Arms Park.
The Blue and Blacks have to win their two remaining games if they are to remain in contention for one of the best runner up spots.
The Welsh side will have received a boost with the news that Montferrand openside flanker Olivier Magne has been ruled out through injury.
Bridgend could do Cardiff a huge favour if they beat Castres at the Brewery Field on Saturday. A victory over the French club would increase Cardiff’s chances of claiming one of the elusive runners-up positions.
Despite having lost all four games so far, the Ravens will be looking to end the group stages on a high note.
Newport will be hoping to keep alive their slim chances of clinching qualification when they lock horns with another French giant Toulouse.
Qualification for the last eight may be out of their hands following an agonising home defeat against Leinster, but Newport could still go through if they beat Toulouse and then Newcastle next week and other results are kind to them.
Swansea, who face Bath at St Helen’s tomorrow, have delayed naming their side because of injury problems.
Wales lock Andy Moore has been ruled out with a neck strain while flanker Colin Charvis is doubtful.
The Whites have a mathematical chance of still qualifying but would have to run in five more tries than Bath following their 38-9 reverse at the Recreation Ground last October.