Leinster are joint 9/2 favs with Stan James to retain the Heineken Cup despite missing Brian O’Driscoll for the group stages.
Leinster co-favs along with four time winners Toulouse with Leicester coming in at 8/1.
Twickenham is this year’s finalist host and an English team has emerged victorious on every previous occasion the final has been held there. Premiership champions Saracens are 12/1 for the cup while Northampton are 11/1.
StanJames.com spokesman Rory Jiwani says, “Saracens may be English champions but they won just one out of five in last season’s group stages and it appears their brand of rugby is better suited to grinding out wins in the Aviva Premiership. We’re happy to take them on especially as they will ‘host’ their biggest group rivals Biarritz in Cape Town.
“Northampton may appear to be a big price at 11/1 but their chances are compromised by being in the Group of Death alongside Munster, Castres and Ospreys.
“Leinster look solid favourites to us having won twice in the last three years. O’Driscoll will almost certainly be back for the business end and they are the team to beat.
“The French sides are often more concerned with their domestic Top 14 competition than the Heineken Cup with the notable exception of Toulouse who are always up for this tournament. On paper, Clermont have the squad to challenge but their dedication to the competition is questionable.”
Heineken Cup outright (EW: 1/2 1,2)
Leinster 9/2
Toulouse 9/2
Leicester Tigers 8/1
Munster 9/1
Clermont 9/1
Northampton Saints 11/1
Saracens 12/1
Racing Metro 20/1
Ospreys 20/1
Biarritz 25/1
Cardiff Blues 25/1
Harlequins 25/1
33/1 bar
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