Raphael Ibanez, the Heineken Cup 2011/12 ambassador and a Heineken Cup winner in 2007 with London Wasps, believes the 17th Heineken Cup final will be an all-Irish affair.
We could be in for an Irish invasion of Twickenham at next month’s Heineken Cup final.
I believe defending champions Leinster Rugby and 1999 champions Ulster Rugby are favourites for this weekend’s semi-finals and on course for an intriguing all-Irish showdown at the home of English rugby on 19 May.
I take Ulster to edge the Dublin semi-final against Edinburgh Rugby because I feel the power of the Ulster forwards could be the difference between two very evenly matched sides.
And I take Leinster to come through against Clermont in Bordeaux on Sunday as after winning the Heineken Cup twice they certainly have that big-match experience and they always look calm under pressure.
Brian O’Driscoll is back from long-term injury and every comeback game he completes he just gets better and better – he seems to have the legs of a teenager.
He is such a talisman, such a brilliant leader and is a player who can make all the difference and change a game with a single flash of brilliance.
While he brings all that power and experience, there is also their entire back row, a magnificent unit. The ground they cover, the way they run into space and their speed to the breakdown means the battle of the back rows is going to be truly massive.
The match has all the makings of a classic between two top-quality sides and the Leinster fans are in for a real treat in Bordeaux – and I am not just saying that because I will be the new Bordeaux-Begles team manager next season.
There is already a special atmosphere in the town but I also have a word of warning. I am sure the Clermont fans will offer Leinster fans a taste of aligot, the speciality of the area made up of a mixture of meat and cheese, because if they have too much of that they will fall asleep during the match.
Clermont would love to celebrate their centenary season with their first Heineken Cup final appearance – and they have everything to do that – but for me Leinster remain the team to beat.
Clermont coach Vern Cotter has said publicly that now is the time for the club to put everything they have into the Heineken Cup, that this is their main goal, but Leinster are the most organised team I have seen over the last four to five years.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh Rugby have been the surprise package of the Heineken Cup tournament so far – and they keep producing those surprises, simply going from one great performance to another great performance – but Ulster could just go through despite that this game is also on a knife edge.
For me their key man will once again be scrum-half Ruan Pienaar, he is absolutely vital to them for the game they want to play.
As a former Springbok he has both world class and plenty of experience of big matches while his composure and intelligence, allied to a great kicking game, make him a complete half-back.
And with the back row such a critical area in the modern game Stephen Ferris is another vital player for Ulster. His game has improved massively, his ball-carrying is so much better, and right now he is at the top of his game and making a tremendous impact.
Now the prize for the semi-final winners is a place in the final and playing at Twickenham is like playing in the cathedral of rugby, you know you are going to be part of rugby history.
It is so exciting and that 2007 Heineken Cup final will always be one of my best memories. The clubs who get there on 19 May are in for a very special occasion.