With all eyes turning to the four mouth watering Heineken Cup quarter-finals this weekend, tournament sponsor Heineken has announced two new additions to their line up of Heineken ambassadors.
Joining Will Greenwood as an ambassador for 2009 are former Scotland international, Kenny Logan, who has experienced the Heineken Cup as a player with both London Wasps and Glasgow, and Rob Howley, former Heineken Cup winner in 2004 and now assistant coach of both Wales and the British & Irish Lions.
With just eight clubs remaining in Europe's leading club rugby tournament, there is everything to play for as the countdown to the Heineken Cup Final in Murrayfield on 23rd May really hots up. All three ambassadors will be offering their views and opinions across the competition ahead of each round in 2009.
Greenwood, a Rugby World Cup winner who is a regular pundit on Sky Sports' Heineken Cup coverage, said: "The Heineken Cup represents the very pinnacle of the European club game, and it never fails to deliver drama, excitement and nail-biting tension.
"This year's quarter final line up is one to savour - four former winners in Leicester, Bath, Toulouse and Munster, joined by Quins and Leinster flying high in their respective leagues, with Anglo-Welsh finalists Cardiff, and the ever dangerous Ospreys completing the line up - it's a thrilling prospect as each team will believe they can be there at Murrayfield on 23rd May."
Logan, who was unlucky to miss out on being part of the Heineken Cup winning Wasps team in 2004 through injury, is looking forward to the final in his home country: "It's fantastic for me to be working with Heineken in 2009, especially with the final taking place at a stadium I know so well from my time with Scotland. Murrayfield on 23rd May will be a very special occasion indeed, and I'm sure all the clubs involved in this year's competition will want to be at Murrayfield for the Heineken Cup Final."
Howley, whose last minute try helped London Wasps win the competition with London Wasps added: "I am delighted to be working with Heineken in 2009 and to be involved with a brand that has such heritage and tradition in the game of rugby. I will always have very fond memories of the Heineken Cup following my own personal history in the competition and for me, there is no better showcase for the excitement and quality of European club rugby.
"Like all rugby fans across Europe, I am looking forward to the knock out stages of this year's competition, but also the start of the 2009-10 season later this year, which is the 15th anniversary of the Heineken Cup."
In addition to the new line up of ambassadors, Heineken has launched several new activities for fans in the final rounds of the tournament. This weekend at Harlequins versus Leinster, ten lucky fans will be treated to 'Heineken Hot Seats' - a money can't buy way of enjoying the very best club rugby action. Entries are being accepted until Wednesday 8th April - click on http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/heineken-cup for a chance to win a behind the scenes match day experience.
Heineken are also giving fans an opportunity to win VIP tickets for the Heineken Cup Final at Murrayfield on 23rd May. The match is sold out but Heineken still have a handful of tickets up for grabs for fans of the tournament and are encouraging entrants into the special photo competition being run online at www.HeinekenRugby.co.uk.
