BRIAN O’DRISCOLL is expecting French sides Toulon and Clermont Auvergne to advance to the final of the inaugural Champions Cup at Twickenham.
Both semi-finals were meant to be played at “neutral” venues. Unfortunately for Leinster and Saracens, the French cities of Marseille and Saint Etienne have been selected to play host to the games and O’Driscoll believes this puts the two teams at a major disadvantage.
He also believes the European club game is in danger of being dominated by French teams as long as the salary cap remains in England and that money is a crucial factor in continental competition.
O’Driscoll thinks the only way English clubs can deter their players from going abroad is to offer them more money. He said players are thinking about their futures and at the end of the day, they will go where the money is.
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“This is a career, it’s no different to any other career. If you’re offered another £100,000 or £200,000 playing somewhere else the likelihood is you’re going to take it”.
Quizzed on who he is picking to be outright champions this season, O’Driscoll said that he believes Clermont are the strongest side remaining in the competition and that they have the desire to push them all the way.
Read: If you are an easily frightened Leinster fan, best not to look at Toulon’s team for SundayRead: Is this Leinster team good enough to slay Europe’s most formidable giant?