French teams looking tres bien in the Heineken Cup

Wednesday 27 January 2010
Published By: Amy Nicholson
Heineken Cup > Stade de France

The likelihood of a French side lifting the Heineken Cup is looking greater than ever this season and this has been backed up by the captains and coaches of the four teams in the quarter-finals.

Guy Noves, Toulouse head coach, told the Irish Examiner that the calibre of the teams left in the competition is very high but that he is backing his side to progress.

"We will face Stade Francais, who have been impressive. Obviously we know them well and the quarter-final promises to look like one of the many games we've played against one another," he said.

Though this match will mean a French team will definitely exit the competition, Biarritz will fancy their chances against the Ospreys at home.

Director of rugby Laurent Rodriguez told the newspaper that his team were "thrilled to qualify" after a poor start against Glasgow and compared the atmosphere of a quarter-final match to that of an international test.

"It is hard to forecast anything for a distant event but we will be wary of any opponent because our experience has taught us that and the teams will show a different profile in three months," he said.

The toughest task lies ahead for Clermont Auvergne, who face a daunting trip to Leinster, and captain Aurelien Rougerie is realistic about his side's chances against the Irish powerhouses.

"Leinster in the quarters will be very tough. They have so many talented and experienced players, it will be hard to win in Dublin," he said.

One French player who may not appear in the quarter-final is Stade Francais prop David Attoub, who received a 70-week ban for gouging earlier this week but is launching an appeal against the penalty.