Northampton Saints
News: The 2011/12 Heineken Cup Draw: As It Happens...
By Phil Hollis
June 7 2011
Northampton Saints suffered the agony of "hope" just a few weeks ago as they succumbed to an inspired Leinster side in the Heineken Cup Final. Now, we look forward to next year's competiton!
So, who will Northampton Saints face next year in the Heineken Cup?
Keep checking back on this article to find out!
According to the ERC website, the draw starts about 12 noon, Tuesday, and the plan is to update this article "as it happens".
Probably won't work and the real world will get in the way but, hey! let's live a little!
Tues 9.15am Morning All!
A reminder of the seeding groups...
Clubs And Tiers
Tier 1 – Leinster, Toulouse, Munster, Cardiff Blues, Biarritz Olympique, Leicester Tigers
Tier 2 – Northampton Saints, Asm Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Bath, Harlequins, London Irish
Tier 3 – Ulster, Saracens, Gloucester, Glasgow Warriors, Scarlets, Edinburgh
Tier 4 – Connacht, Benetton Treviso, Castres Olympique, Montpellier, Racing Metro 92, Aironi
11.30am Live streaming of the draw can be found here from 11.30am...
http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchdaytv/
11.55am Well, I've got the ERC stream on - lovely picture of a test card at the moment!
12.01pm Still the test card and music... :/
12.03pm "Would you take your seats, ladies and gentlemen..." We have pictures!
12.06pm waffle, waffle, Leinster, waffle...
12.07pm Final highlights... Hmmm...
12.10pm No real need to rub it in was there?
12.11pm Apparently Leinster are the current champions...
12.14pm Draw about to begin. Right, from now on, I'll just update the pools below...
POOL 1
Munster
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Scarlets
Castres
POOL 2
Cardiff Blues
London Irish
Edinburgh
Racing Metro
POOL 3
Leinster
Bath Rugby
Glasgow Warriors
Montpellier
POOL 4
Leicester Tigers
Clermont
Ulster
Aironi Rugby
POOL 5
Biarritz
Ospreys
Saracens
Benetton Treviso
POOL 6
Toulouse
Harlequins
Gloucester
Connacht
12.39pm There you go - that's the draw for the group stages of the 2011/12 Heineken Cup. Thanks for reading!
Phil
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponNews: The 2011/12 Heineken Cup Draw: As It Happens...
Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 07/06/2011 00:16
ComeOnYouSaints.com
07/06/2011 00:16
07/06/2011 00:16
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Pip, I have to admire your bouncebackability.
As for me, I remain deep in the slough of despond. Will I ever recover?
As for me, I remain deep in the slough of despond. Will I ever recover?
Ooo! Ooo! eyup! I am proper excited now I could crush a graope
*
Good luck with that mein headhitter obergrupenfuhrer
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
*
Good luck with that mein headhitter obergrupenfuhrer
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
From a weekenders travelling point of view please no Welsh, no Racing, no Glasgow.
Quote:ChrisG
From a weekenders travelling point of view please no Welsh, no Racing, no Glasgow.
And I was hoping for the group to be:
Cardiff
Saints
Glasgow
Treviso
Btw - Why not Glasgow?
The following would do me....
Cardiff Blues
Northampton Saints
Ulster
Montpellier
Cardiff Blues
Northampton Saints
Ulster
Montpellier
You missed out a French team Jim, i'd happily swap Glasgae for one if I were you 
I forgot about the French.
I just wanted Glasgow so I can go home and get a free bed.
I just wanted Glasgow so I can go home and get a free bed.
ERC website is crashed entirely for me - can't get ANYTHING on it, let alone the stream of the draw.
scarlets in pool one with us. pool 5 is saracens for the taking, ospreys and biarritz in it so far with them
1: Munster, Northampton, Scarlets, Castre
2: Cardiff, London Irish, Edinburgh, Racing Metro
3: Leinster, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier
4: Leicester, Clermont, Ulster, Aironi
5: Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens, Trevisio
6: Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester, Connact
2: Cardiff, London Irish, Edinburgh, Racing Metro
3: Leinster, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier
4: Leicester, Clermont, Ulster, Aironi
5: Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens, Trevisio
6: Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester, Connact
Gentlemen, I think we have just won the Heineken Cup!!!! 
I cannot wait to go to Limerick again!
I cannot wait to go to Limerick again!
First thought ..... chances of Munster being played at MK ?
Close to 100% I think !!!!
Close to 100% I think !!!!
Sarries ought to win the most games in their group, but will they do an Ulster and get pipped by Biarritz on bonus points? Probably say that Toulouse, Tigers, and Leinster ought to be OK in their groups. The other two look tough to call!
Munster - aging team, been to Thomand Park twice already, learned from our mistakes and improved - don't fear them in the slightest.
Scarlets - not what they used to be, weak pack but with some lethal backs, still - don't fear them in the slightest.
Castres - beat them twice last season, home and away - don't fear them in the slightest.
Heineken Cup Final at Twickers next season? Yes please!
Come on you Saints!
Scarlets - not what they used to be, weak pack but with some lethal backs, still - don't fear them in the slightest.
Castres - beat them twice last season, home and away - don't fear them in the slightest.
Heineken Cup Final at Twickers next season? Yes please!
Come on you Saints!
So far
1: Munster, Northampton Saints,Scarlets
2: Cardiff Blues, London Irish, Edinburh
3: Leinster, Bath Rugby, Glasgow
4: Leicester, Clermont, Ulster
5: Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens
6: Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester
So its Munster gain
Your time in a Saints jersey is just a snapshot of history. It is not yours to own but merely to borrow and while you wear it you need to respect those who have worn it before you and enhance it while it is yours. (W. Smith)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:07:12:32:17 by Highway P.
1: Munster, Northampton Saints,Scarlets
2: Cardiff Blues, London Irish, Edinburh
3: Leinster, Bath Rugby, Glasgow
4: Leicester, Clermont, Ulster
5: Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens
6: Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester
So its Munster gain
Your time in a Saints jersey is just a snapshot of history. It is not yours to own but merely to borrow and while you wear it you need to respect those who have worn it before you and enhance it while it is yours. (W. Smith)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:07:12:32:17 by Highway P.
Id prefer Cardiff, but Munster should hold no fears for us... and also they not the team they were 2 years ago when in our group...
Only thing this means is we may get a horrible french team lower down in the draw
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:07:12:32:03 by Neil-H.
Only thing this means is we may get a horrible french team lower down in the draw
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:07:12:32:03 by Neil-H.
Pool 1 - Munster, Saints, Scarlets, Castres
Pool 2 - Cardiff, LONDON IRISH, Edinburgh, Racing Metro
Pool 3 - Leinster, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier
Pool 4 - Leicester, Clermont, Ulster, Aironi
Pool 5 - Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens, Treviso
Pool 6 - Toulouse, Quins, Gloucester, Connacht
Pool 2 - Cardiff, LONDON IRISH, Edinburgh, Racing Metro
Pool 3 - Leinster, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier
Pool 4 - Leicester, Clermont, Ulster, Aironi
Pool 5 - Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens, Treviso
Pool 6 - Toulouse, Quins, Gloucester, Connacht
Is it me, or is there no real group of death?
Without knocking other clubs, I would say the strongest from pool 4, ended in groups that had weakest from Pool 3
None of those teams should scare us imho, won't be easy, but not beyond us at all
Without knocking other clubs, I would say the strongest from pool 4, ended in groups that had weakest from Pool 3
None of those teams should scare us imho, won't be easy, but not beyond us at all
The trouble with our pool is that I dont think 2nd place will be good enough. Not many 5 pointers on offer.
Whose up for some stupid predictions then?
Top 2s:
1. Saints, Castres - yes, I'm going to be controversial - as pointed out above, ageing side - Castres backrow are extremely good and could put in a decent performance over there. Munster and Scarlets knowledge of eachother may be a help or hinderance from their ML encounters but the Heiny's a totally different competition and they'll probably have completely different teams for each comp!
2. Racing Metro and Edinburgh - the closeness of Edinburgh's defeats last year could mean they could make the next step up. Probably Cardiff though.
3. Leinster and Montpellier - I don't think Bath will travel well.
4. Clermont and Ulster - Ulster have made some good signings for next year.
5. Biarritz and Sarries - then Sarries will know what it's like to not just focus on 1 competition. They still probably won't be affected by England call ups either.
6. Toulouse and Gloucester/Quins - tight one.
Top 2s:
1. Saints, Castres - yes, I'm going to be controversial - as pointed out above, ageing side - Castres backrow are extremely good and could put in a decent performance over there. Munster and Scarlets knowledge of eachother may be a help or hinderance from their ML encounters but the Heiny's a totally different competition and they'll probably have completely different teams for each comp!
2. Racing Metro and Edinburgh - the closeness of Edinburgh's defeats last year could mean they could make the next step up. Probably Cardiff though.
3. Leinster and Montpellier - I don't think Bath will travel well.
4. Clermont and Ulster - Ulster have made some good signings for next year.
5. Biarritz and Sarries - then Sarries will know what it's like to not just focus on 1 competition. They still probably won't be affected by England call ups either.
6. Toulouse and Gloucester/Quins - tight one.
Pool 1 Munster Northampton Scarlets Castres
Pool 2 Cardiff London Irish Edinburgh Racing Metro
Pool 3 Leinster Bath Glasgow Montpellier
Pool 4 Leicester Clermont Ulster Aironi
Pool 5 Biarritz Ospreys Saracens Treviso
Pool 6 Toulouse Harlequins Gloucester Connacht
2011/2012 Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup dates
ROUND 1 - 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 November, 2011
ROUND 2 - 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 November, 2011
ROUND 3 - 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 December, 2011
ROUND 4 - 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 December, 2011
ROUND 5 - 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 January, 2012
ROUND 6 - 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 January, 2012
QUARTER-FINALS - 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 April, 2012
SEMI-FINALS - 27 / 28 / 29 April, 2012
FINALS - 18 / 19 / 20 May, 2012
Tough draw for you guys
Pool 2 Cardiff London Irish Edinburgh Racing Metro
Pool 3 Leinster Bath Glasgow Montpellier
Pool 4 Leicester Clermont Ulster Aironi
Pool 5 Biarritz Ospreys Saracens Treviso
Pool 6 Toulouse Harlequins Gloucester Connacht
2011/2012 Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup dates
ROUND 1 - 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 November, 2011
ROUND 2 - 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 November, 2011
ROUND 3 - 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 December, 2011
ROUND 4 - 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 December, 2011
ROUND 5 - 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 January, 2012
ROUND 6 - 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 January, 2012
QUARTER-FINALS - 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 April, 2012
SEMI-FINALS - 27 / 28 / 29 April, 2012
FINALS - 18 / 19 / 20 May, 2012
Tough draw for you guys
Ouch. Still, on the bright side, another weekend in Limerick can't be bad!
Racing and Biarritz got byes then.
Racing and Biarritz got byes then.
For sure Munster are Doomed. Sure we have an ageing side, and you will have learned from Thomond Park a few years back. Still, I will be looking forward to visiting again, Hopefully Franklins Gardens.. a great ground.
Looking forward to visiting Northampton & FG again and hopefully getting a Munster win
Yep looking forward to going back to Limerick for another long weekend, not so much Castres, especially in the depths of winter (or indeed on a Sunday) but hey ho i'll be somewhere in the vicinity.
"Munster - aging team, been to Thomand Park twice already, learned from our mistakes and improved - don't fear them in the slightest."
"Saints, Castres - yes, I'm going to be controversial - as pointed out above, ageing side"
Average of Saints and Munster in their last games V Leinster 26.6 and 29.8 respectively. Only 3.2 years difference and that includes Hayes at 38 and a few other 30+ oldies. And we all know the results of those games!
I won't make any predictions just a warm welcome to Limerick when ye travel.
Best of luck foe 11/12.
"Saints, Castres - yes, I'm going to be controversial - as pointed out above, ageing side"
Average of Saints and Munster in their last games V Leinster 26.6 and 29.8 respectively. Only 3.2 years difference and that includes Hayes at 38 and a few other 30+ oldies. And we all know the results of those games!
I won't make any predictions just a warm welcome to Limerick when ye travel.
Best of luck foe 11/12.
To be fair though Myball remember the postings on the Munsterfans Forum pre the last game at the Gardens, it was a foregone conclusion that Munster would wipe the floor with us. Perhaps a little payback
Getting Munster is good for the club, as many of them buy into our Membership Scheme...Kerching!!!!
NO easy games in our group.
Only silver lining is that Munster and Scarlets may trip each other up but this round of group games will certainly sort the men from the boys.
"sup·port·er"
Noun:
1.A person who approves of and encourages someone or something (typically a public figure, a movement or party, or a policy).
2.A person who is actively interested in and wishes success for a particular sports team.
Only silver lining is that Munster and Scarlets may trip each other up but this round of group games will certainly sort the men from the boys.
"sup·port·er"
Noun:
1.A person who approves of and encourages someone or something (typically a public figure, a movement or party, or a policy).
2.A person who is actively interested in and wishes success for a particular sports team.
Quote:johns
Pool 1 Munster Northampton Scarlets Castres
Pool 2 Cardiff London Irish Edinburgh Racing Metro
Pool 3 Leinster Bath Glasgow Montpellier
Pool 4 Leicester Clermont Ulster Aironi
Pool 5 Biarritz Ospreys Saracens Treviso
Pool 6 Toulouse Harlequins Gloucester Connacht
2011/2012 Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup dates
ROUND 1 - 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 November, 2011
ROUND 2 - 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 November, 2011
ROUND 3 - 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 December, 2011
ROUND 4 - 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 December, 2011
ROUND 5 - 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 January, 2012
ROUND 6 - 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 January, 2012
QUARTER-FINALS - 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 April, 2012
SEMI-FINALS - 27 / 28 / 29 April, 2012
FINALS - 18 / 19 / 20 May, 2012
Tough draw for you guys
It is when you factor in the standard round 6 Thomond park game.
Come On You Saints
Nail biters all round for everyone one in our group me thinks, still keeps you going, shame it was lienster in our group i quite fancied a rematch.
Typical Northampton getting an easy group again and no doubt an easy route if they reach the final. What a farce, they always have an easy run of it...
Respect to all, fear none.
DEJ should get smoked out somewhere along th way, I reckon.
Saint or Sinner...?
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
DEJ should get smoked out somewhere along th way, I reckon.
Saint or Sinner...?
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
I thought I saw Munster top the Magners league and defeat Leinster in the final only a few weeks ago. They may not be quite the side they were 4-5 years ago, but they are still a damn good team. I wish we could 'only' win the Premiership when our current crop start to age and become over the hill!
Castres and Scarlets are decent sides that will cause problems, but finish ahead of Munster and you win the group imo.
Castres and Scarlets are decent sides that will cause problems, but finish ahead of Munster and you win the group imo.
3000 page views? Blimey!
Not bad for a daft idea I had late last night...
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Not bad for a daft idea I had late last night...
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
The H Cup has to be our best chance of Success next year given that we lose the majority of our first XV for the WC and Six Nations....They will all be back (hopefully injury free for the H Cup)...
ON paper it appears to be a tough group however if we win our home games with a decent away performances we should be ok!!!
Don't want to wish away the summer, cannot wait!!!
"Rugby is a game for big @#$%&. if you're not a big @#$%&, you get hurt. I wasn't a big @#$%& but i was a fast @#$%& and therefore I avoided the big @#$%&." - Spike Milligan
ON paper it appears to be a tough group however if we win our home games with a decent away performances we should be ok!!!
Don't want to wish away the summer, cannot wait!!!
"Rugby is a game for big @#$%&. if you're not a big @#$%&, you get hurt. I wasn't a big @#$%& but i was a fast @#$%& and therefore I avoided the big @#$%&." - Spike Milligan
Looking forward to welcoming all you Saints back to Thomond again! It seems like AGES since we last played, yet it's just over a year. You had us on the rack at Thomond, we played badly, but O'Connell's sinbinning somehow lifted the team and the crowd immensely. There was that crazy Saints put-in on our line but Dougie Howlett single-handedly won the scrum against the head!
I predict great games - best of luck, remember we're an "aging" team so be nice to us.....
See you in Limerick.
I predict great games - best of luck, remember we're an "aging" team so be nice to us.....
See you in Limerick.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
Northampton Saints News 24/7
More Northampton Saints headlines
- End of season how the squad was used analysis
- This weeks rugby 1st - 5th July
- Weekend Rugby 27th/28th June
- Weekend Rugby 19th - 20th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 12th - 14th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 5th - 7th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 29th - 31st May 20206
- Weekend Rugby 22nd - 23rd May 2026
- Weekend Rugby 15th - 17th May 2026