HC Pool 1 - Team Analysis and fixtures

Pool 1 looks almost too tough to call with past European champs Leinster battling it out with past finalists Saints, the most successful Welsh region Ospreys and current Top14 champions Castres.

Castres Olympique

FORM: Last seasons Top 14 winners have had a horrible start to the season so far. With just four wins and five losses to their name, they've managed big wins against Stade Francaise, Toulon and Racing Metro but also lost to minnows such as Bordeaux, Oyonnax and last weekends crushing 34 - 0 loss to Brive. They have  a tight defence only conceding 11 tries (4 in that Brive match) but also have not scored much either. They have really struggled to construct any points away from home so far this season with an average on 9 points each trip away, at home they've managed some big results and two tbp's so far. At the end of the day their a hard working pack with a metronomic kicker; if the forwards get on top then they can score through some fairly decent wide men, but if they're away from home and go behind then they're heads go down and they fade, all in all they're a classic French team.

SQUAD:

Castres:

PLAYER TO WATCH: Definitely not the most well known French team out there and part of that is the lack of galacticos compared to some of their European compatriots. I'd love to be able to talk about Max Evans, Richie Gray or South African/French wrecking ball with smarts Antonie Claassen but to be honest getting back to the fact that they're mainly a big pack with a kicker their key player will probably be South African fly half Rory Kockott. The hero from their Top14 final victory he's been a key part in all of their wins so far in particular in defeating Toulon again earlier this season. Watch out for his monster drop goals from the half way line, the man loves them.

Leinster Rugby

FORM: Probably more then any other team in this competition Leinster's form coming in to Europe is largely irrelevant. Like just a handful of other clubs before them they've been their and done it enough to know how to compartmentalise the different tournaments. Their 2 losses, 1 draw and only 2 wins in the Rabo will not be too much of a concern to them. They've racked up the points in their wins at home while keeping away losses low scoring and tight (yet to concede more then 3 tries in a game). More of a worry will be the loss of key players from past campaigns and the relevant experience that came with them. The youngsters are good, there's no doubting it but will they be ready for the pressure of European rugby against some pretty nasty teams. Leinster still have an awesome backrow and the magician at 13, but there are weaknesses in the tight five now and out wide they're not as electric as they were in the past. This'll be their toughest season so far but they should have enough to win their home games, it then all comes down to points garnered away and you wouldn't want to bet against them.

SQUAD:

Leinster:

PLAYER TO WATCH: So they've lost a few key men, but still that squad looks impressive. Leinster will expect massive contributions from the likes of Sean O'Brien and the legend Brian O'Driscoll, add to that super short term signing Lote Tuqiri and there's a lot of class in there. But to me the key player for them will be in the boiler room; Cian Healy has been one of the form props of the NH for the past few seasons now but with the new young looking Leinster around him more responsibility will fall on his (massive) shoulders. How he copes with that and the pressure he can put on the three monstrous opposition packs that he'll meet in this pool will be key.

Northampton Saints

FORM: Northampton are probably the form team going in to this pool. For the past few seasons they've looked to be missing a few key links to make a truly great team, but with the additions of Alex Corbisiero at prop and Kahn Fotualii at scrum half and a resurgence of form for Stephen Myler they're now looking like the all round team to beat this season. They've started strongly with 3 good wins and only 1 loss so far, managing two tbp's in their wins and not conceding a single tbp in return. Their massive pack has routinely dominated opposition sides and their tackling, that has always been a central part of their game, has become even more ferocious and technically competent. The only real deficiencies in their game are a high penalty count and they struggle when matched in the forwards. They should do well in Europe but may not have the strength in depth to be able to compete in both tournaments.

SQUAD:

Northampton:

PLAYER TO WATCH: Yes we're all aware of the triumverate of huge signings that Saints have made, Corbisiero, Kahn and North will be central to their European aspirations but two of them are in positions of strength for the team and the other can only do well if he gets ball to use. Add to that Internationals like the Pisi bro's, Ben Foden, Tom Wood and hard man Courney Lawes and their a team made to wreak havoc if they click. Following that thought the real key player is a lot more bland and to be honest a bit boring. Stephen Myler is enjoying a resurgence of form now that he has no direct competition for his shirt and in a team where nearly every player is bigger, nastier and usually quicker then him he only needs to direct the strategy and organise the team well to make sure he gets the best out of them. Sounds easy but without an on form Myler then Saints have looked rudderless in the past. He is central to their chances.

Ospreys

FORM: Another team in a pretty good vein of form. The Ospreys have repeatedly failed to live up to expectations in Europe. This season they have the pack to compete in an ultra tough pool of big packs, their backs as well have been tearing up the Rabo (they've scored as many tries in 5 matches as Castres have in 9). They come to Europe on the back of their first loss of the season, at home to Ulster which'll sting, but they'll be heartened by big wins against Edinburgh and Connacht and a high scoring draw away against pool partners Leinster. They've got a very good and ferocious defence coming into this tournament as well and with a solid kicker at 10 they should be confident of competing with the other teams in the pool. This year could well be their year.

SQUAD:

Ospreys:

PLAYER TO WATCH: With almost the Welsh International pack in the squad and a few internationals in the backs they're not short of star dust. Stand outs include Lions legends Alun Wyn-Jones and Adam Jones, alongside truffle hunter and greased-lightning across the park Justin Tipuric. One of the key players though will be slightly less well known or as used to the spot light as those three; Ian Evans is a brute in the engine room, and they'll need all his size and power to compete against the massive packs in this pool. He's a key cog in the O's class set piece displays and takes a lot of the close in tackling for the team. Expect him to lay in to opposition players and set the tone for the rest of the pack to follow.

Fixtures
Castres v Northampton Saints, Stade Pierre-Antoine, Castres
Ospreys v Leinster, Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Good stuff yappy. If there is one pool I'm reluctant to make a prediction on its this one. I wonder is there any chance of Castres taking it a bit more seriously now that they have a Top14 under their belt. As they are traditionally the least interested French team in the HC.

Castres is also traditionnaly the weakest french team in the HC, one who has big problems away from home. Hopefully they will give it a better go this time but we know what will happen if they lose against northampton at home. Forward orientated rugby yes but trying to play a more expansive brand this season. Check out the rebirth of marcel garvey there who has been scoring a few tries already this season. Very difficult to call this pool on paper but head saying Leinster with no best runner up.
Good job again yappy  

No worries. If Saints target this then I think they're in with a shout. Really depends on how they get on in these opening games as I guess they're desperate for silverware this season so might focus on the Jeff.

Of all the pools this one does look like it should have some of the biggest forward collisions going on. Might be some ugly games!!

Excellent analysis there boss.
crappen meself already.
I hope whocares head is screwed on right.
Whoever comes out of this pool will be tough, if away in the qf.

Can't wait for the Northampton game in the Aviva.

Ospreys key player is probably Biggar, putting the forwards in the right area's and putting his backline into scoring positions (while hoping they don't mess it up). He's playing well.

Got a feeling North will be running through Fussell too so we can give Northampton a +7 when they face the Ospreys.

I think the most significant addition for Saints for this campaign won't prove to be a player, but bringing in Clermont's backs coach Alex King.

King's impact has already started to be felt with saints scoring a few off first phase that were very reminiscent of classic wasps, so hopeful signs early doors. Big hopes he can continue to build and really help saints show off a quality backline!

Change your name pal, there's only one Saint on these boards.

Good work Yappy

It's a hell of a tough group.