Frank Quinn casts his eye over Investec Cup round 1

HISTORICALLY, you can lose one game in the pool stages of the Investec Cup and still move along to the knockouts. Lose one more and you are in a sweat to try to secure a few bonus points to keep you in there and you are depending on other results to come your way – better to try and have control yourself by winning, orelse you are condemned to next years trophy. This is what is facing all the coaches this weekend in Round 2.
Ulster lost to the favs. Toulouse in round one – what a mean draw it turned out to be !- next game is with Bordeaux at home in round two in Belfast. Munster with a win at home are away to losers Castres – but they are infamous for winning at home.
Leinster – winners, are at home in the Aviva to Clermont who also won. Clermont have made brave efforts to win the Cup but never succeeded. You put them down as a very successful club in the last decade, having lost three finals.
For the rest: Exeter lost and are at home to Toulouse .Cheika’s Leicester lost and are at home to round one winners Sharks, Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle won and are at home to losers Bristol. Sale sharks lost and play at home against Racing
Harlequins and Stormers both lost and play each other. Toulon, at home and Glasgow are well matched and both are winnners in Round One. Bulls as winners are at home to Northampton who lost. Bennetton and Bath both lost and play each other in Italy.
When you write down the names, the Clubs with histories:
The previous winners stand out : La Rochelle – Toulouse – Munster – Leinster, Toulon, Exeter are previous winners in 2020, Bath won in 1998. Leicester Tiger in 2001 and 2002, Northampton won in 2000 beating Munster and its is fair to mention that Toulouse won the First Cup in 1996, played at the Cardiff Arms Park, beating Cardiff 21/18 (aet) before 21,800 spectators This is the 30th Edition.

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