Former Wasps, England and British and Irish Lions legend and now Premier Sports pundit Lawrence Dallaglio says his two Investec Champions Cup winners medals rank “right up there” as some of the biggest highlights in his rugby career.
Speaking ahead of the second round of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, which kicks off at 8pm on Friday, Dallaglio said: “It’s pretty special. I played in this tournament for 15 years and won it a few times, as well as lost it a few times too.
“It’s the greatest club competition in the world, it’s international rugby in a club jersey. It’s playing with your mates that you're with week-in-week out. Quite a few of the guys don’t necessarily get to play international rugby and this competition elevates, in terms of performance, but also the fans, the venues, the atmospheres. It’s incredibly exciting.
“You see world-class players, world-class stadiums and world-class performances. I have been lucky enough to play for some good teams with Lions and England, and I can safely say my two Heineken Cup medals rank right up there as some of the best moments of my career and in our lives as rugby players.
“We will see some pretty epic games this season and the away experiences you get are so memorable. My friends and families all say that following their club and watching their team pull off famous victories away from home in this competition are the best rugby memories they have.”
Looking at the contenders for Round 2, Dallaglio continued: “I think we have sides in the English Premiership that will challenge that’s for sure. All the English teams were in the fight last week and scrapping picking up points and some losing bonus points. It's early days. La Rochelle lost two games in the opening rounds last season and qualified for the knock-out stages.
“We also saw three away wins out of 12 fixtures – so I think we all know winning away from home in this competition is at a premium. It's going to be fascinating this weekend.”
Following Saracen’s emphatic win over the Vodacom Bulls in Round 1 of the Investec Champions Cup, former Scotland captain John Barclay believes the Premiership side can have a deep run in the tournament.
“You can't look too much further than the Saracens result against the Bulls,” Barclay said.
“You go through the Bulls team and the quality there is pretty frightening. To put in a victory in the manner they did and to completely dominate the Bulls, almost a full international team, I think Saracens were brilliant. They've also got pedigree in the competition.”
Bulls had lost just once so far this season prior to their defeat on Saturday and Barclay feels the ease with which they were dismantled by Saracens underlines the nous in Mark McCall’s side.
“You look at the quality in that squad, the experience, they know how to get it done in Europe,” Barclay continued.
“Stade Français (Saracens’ next opponents) were pretty disappointing at the weekend against Munster who struggled themselves.
“I think Saracens are always one of the teams you look at - they’ve won it in the past, they’re in the conversation. Even though they've not won it for a number of years, they’ve got outrageous quality and depth across that squad.”
Barclay also believes his old side, Glasgow Warriors showed their Investec Champions Cup credentials in a statement win against Sale Sharks but insists tougher tests lie ahead.
Barclay hailed the success as the “result of the first round” and hoped it could be a stepping stone in Glasgow's quest to secure a maiden European triumph.
“Certainly, the first half was some of the best attacking rugby I've seen from any team so far this season,” said Barclay, who enjoyed an eight-year stay at Scotstoun.
“I think the challenge for Glasgow was always how they can transfer their form from the end of last year in terms of winning the league and the next step is to take that form up to the highest level in Europe.
“They just completely dominated Sale across the board. The speed of their attack, the intensity, everything to do with their attack, was fantastic.”
Former England and Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw will be at the Stoop this weekend and hopes to see his former club make a winning return to the competition with their first Investec Champions Cup home match of the season against DHL Stomers.
“In this competition, you pick up what you can away from home,” said Robshaw, who made 300 appearances for the London club.
“You win your home games and that probably puts you in a good position to get into the last-16.
“Harlequins had opportunities to win against Racing and I think they'll look back and be a little bit disappointed not to get at least a bonus point, especially with another tough game this weekend.”
Robshaw will be joined for the Harlequins, Stomers clash on Saturday night by Premier Sports colleagues Martin Bayfield, Ryan Wilson and Tom Shanklin.
And the former 66-cap England forward believes the first round provided just a glimpse of what's to come.
“I know Quins have played them before but they haven't had too much interaction, especially those players who haven't played much or any international rugby, it gives them the real opportunity to go up against a formidable South African side,” said Robshaw.
“The way both teams play, I think they'll both be hoping it's a dry day and they can play their running game.
After seeing Quins reach the final four for the first time in their history last season, with their thrilling 42-41 quarter-final at Union Bordeaux-Begles – one of the most memorable matches in the competition’s modern history – Robshaw says the current squad will be determined to back up that remarkable run and prove it was no flash in the pan.
“The fans will want them to get to that stage again but as players you've had a taste of things, you've had a taste of what it's like to dine at the top table,” said Robshaw, who captained Quins to victory in the 2011 Challenge Cup final in Cardiff.
“The Investec Champions Cup is a very, very small step away from international rugby and especially when you get into the latter stages of the competition, the similarities with Test rugby are there.”
Despite their modest record in rugby’s fabled club competition, Robshaw only has fond memories.
“There's something about the new balls, the new kits. Everyone's got their European shirts. You travel, hopefully you have a good win, you might have a couple of beers afterwards together and just enjoy each other's company.
“It's those games which you definitely look back on. When I played in the competition, I remember we went to Bayonne and Biarritz and there were puddles on the pitch, it was horrendous, but we ground out a win.
“It's just those little moments which all the players love and it brings everyone together because it’s backs against the wall.”
Ahead of joining Premier Sports colleagues for Sale Sharks, the clash between Irish giants Leinster and ASM Clermont Auvergne and Bristol Bears’ trip to Stade Rochelais, Dallaglio reflected: “For (the pundits), it’s about celebrating what’s out there on the field and our job is to bring that to life and to try to be the soundtrack for all the people at home. It’s great to be part of. I have been lucky to be part of a lot of broadcast teams from World Cups to domestic rugby and international club rugby and I decided to join Premier Sports as we have the best rugby competition to be working on.
“We have got a really great team and hopefully people are enjoying it.
“It’s early days but we are excited and we are looking forward to taking everyone through every step of the drama and all the way to Cardiff in May next year.”
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