Back in those blessed years when the Heineken Cup often delivered matches of greater passion and technical skill than the Six Nations, the draw for the following season used to be an event in itself, even in an Ashes summer. Sadly, those days have gone.
Apart from the competing clubs and their more dedicated followers, Wednesday’s draw in London passed by largely unnoticed. In some respects, that could be considered a blessing in disguise.
When the Unions ran the tournament, more successfully, it has to be said, than at any time since the clubs wrestled control some ten years ago, it thrive...