Tindall and co might have something to celebrate at last

Having topped the Guinness Premiership table three times only to miss out on being crowned champions in the play-offs, Gloucester have gained a reputation as being nearly-men. That could change this year though because although have started their domestic campaign too strongly, our friends at chickendinner think that European success could be on the horizon for Gloucester. Here’s their opinion on all the frontrunners’ chances:

Toulouse
Last season was the second time that a team from Pool 5 has lifted the Heineken Cup. Toulouse are the only ever three time winners of the tournament and were beaten in the final last year. Only one runner-up has been victorious the following year but that was the French club in 2005.

Munster
The holders have been drawn in Pool 1, home of two of the last three winners, but Leicester Tigers (2000-01 and 2001-02) are the only club who have ever retained the trophy. The last team to win the Heineken Cup from Pool 5, as Munster did last season, were Toulouse (2002-03) who lost the final the following year.

Stade Français
The prospects of the two-time runners-up are not looking good. In the thirteen year history of the Heineken Cup nobody has ever won from Pool 4, even though in the first four years there were only four or five pools. Only one of the last five winners went out at the pool stage the previous year, which is more bad news for Stade Français.

Leinster
The Irish club are another whose chances have been harmed by the luck of the draw as they have entered Pool 2, the only other one that has never produced a winner. That’s not likely to change now either, as not since Pool 5 in 2002-03 has a previously unsuccessful pool produced a winner. Munster’s success last year also doesn’t help them because not since Toulouse and Brive in the inaugural tournaments have two different teams from the same country won the Heineken Cup in successive years.

Gloucester
Quite possibly the team with the strongest chance outside of the three clear favourites, Gloucester have been drawn in Pool 6, which alongside Pool 1 has been the most successful in the last nine years, with three wins apiece. Gloucester went out at the quarter-final stage last season but that’s not bad news as three of the last four champions went out at that stage the previous year.

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