2007 Heineken Cup Semi Finals

April 21, 2007

This weekend sees the potentially ill-fated Heineken Cup semi finals take place. Llanelli Scarlets are to play Leicester, and in a repeat of last week's Guinness premiership clash, Northampton Saints face London Wasps.

Scarlets
The Scarlets are the last non-English side playing in the Heineken Cup, which is guaranteed to have at least one English team in the title. The Scarlets are the only unbeaten side remaining in the competition.

Leicester
Leicester arrive in the semi finals having knocked out the French side, Stade Francais. They are currently have 66 points in the premiership, which places them in second place after Gloucester (also on 66 points). Given that they've won the Anglo-Welsh trophy already, they have the potential to win the treble.

Northampton
In the Quarter Finals, Northampton played the French team, Biarritz. The game was played in the San Sebastien in northern Spain. After a low scoring game, Northampton defied predictions to win 7-6.

Northampton are facing relegation in the premiership, and although they will take the game seriously, it's possible that their minds may be elsewhere. It will be vital for them to win their next premiership game. Should they fail to do so they will certainly be relegated.

Wasps
Following Wasps victory over Leinster at Adams Park, Wasps fully expected to face Biarritz, but it was not to be. In an interesting twist, their Heineken Cup game against Northampton would immediately follow their Guinness Premiership match against that team. Wasps won that game, despite having to rest players such as Alex King and Lawrence Dallaglio.

Wasps have a good chance this weekend, and can boast three international captains in their ranks. Dallaglio, Vickery (both England) and Ibanez (captain of the French side which won the 6 nations).

Schedule
Both games take place at a neutral venue which has been selected by one of the sides previously selected by lot. The Leicester vs. Llanelli game will take place at the Walkers stadium in Leicester on Saturday. It will kick off at 3pm BST (2pm UTC).

The Wasps vs. Northampton game will take place in Coventry at the Ricoh arena. It will kick off at 3:05pm BST on Sunday.

The final will take place at Twickenham on the 20th May at 2:30pm (BST)

Results
In the Llanelli Scarlets vs Leicester game, Leicester won 33 points to 17. It was 16-10 at half time. Tries for leicester were scored by Goode, Jennings and Deacon. There were three conversions from Goode who also scored four penalties. For Scarlets, M Jones and Rees scored tries, S Jones converted twice and also scored a penalty.

The Northampton Saints face London Wasps later today.