Peter Stringer wrote his name into Munster rugby folklore when he scampered over for the Heineken Cup final clinching try against Biarritz Olympique - but the Irish scrum half accepts it is going to be even tougher to defend the coveted trophy than it was winning it...
Peter Stringer wrote his name into Munster rugby folklore when he scampered over for the Heineken Cup final clinching try against Biarritz Olympique - but the Irish scrum half accepts it is going to be even tougher to defend the coveted trophy than it was winning it.
"We spent many seasons trying to win the trophy - and we went very close on a number of previous occasions - so it was a tremendous feeling when we were fortunate enough to win it last season," said Stringer.
"We have regrouped over the summer and set out our goals for the season. We realise it will be an extremely difficult task to retain the trophy as we get a sense that it's the goal of every team we play against to try and beat the European champions
"We are fully aware of what's in store for us and we will have to raise our level again in order to retain the trophy.
"In the last few seasons we haven't started the group matches that well and you can't really afford to lose more than one game - as we've seen in the past. So it does come down to cup rugby, and trying to get as many tries as possible to secure the bonus point.
"The Heineken Cup is such a tough competition now that, when you do win, it makes it all the more worthwhile. When you look at the groups there are no easy matches.
"There are no games that you look at and think a win is granted - and that makes it so interesting, to see that with the home and away basis upsets can happen and any one of the four teams can qualify. That's what makes it such a great competition.
"We have come up against Leicester a couple of times in the past and their reign in the English Premiership proved they are a quality side. In the past few seasons we have seen some Irish players go over and join the squad. If you look how well they have started their league season it shows that we will really have to improve if we are to do well over there on Sunday afternoon.
And international hooker Frankie Sheahan relishes the challenge of being defending champions, adding: "It's a great position to be in.
"It's a huge weight off our shoulders to finally have won it and I am hoping that this year we can really start expressing ourselves and go from strength to strength.
"Every game is like a knock-out in this tournament and going to face Leicester at Welford in Round 1 will be a huge game.
"Traditionally we haven't got off to a great start in this tournament, we have lost twice to Gloucester at Kinsgholm and Sale last year. So the Leicester match is huge for us and we are really looking forward to it.
"It is ironic that we are playing Leicester in Round 1 as they are the only team who have ever retained the Heineken Cup. The thing with the Heineken Cup is that there is no room for slip-ups - if you lose one match you could be drawn a quarter-final in France which is a huge challenge.
"The aim is to get a home quarter-final but if you think too far ahead you might slip-up and we are in a competitive group this year. Cardiff Blues are going very well, we face Leicester and a tough trip to France to meet Bourgoin.
"We will just take one game at a time and the ultimate prize will be a home quarter-final. Then we can think about retaining the trophy."
