English rugby union sides have not succeeded in the Heineken Cup in recent years, but Harlequins full-back Mike Brown reckons this will come to an end next season.
Wasps were the last English side to win the competition back in 2007 but since then Munster, Leinster and Toulouse succeed in the following three competitions.
In the 2011 competition it was Leinster again who came out victorious, beating Northampton Saints in the final to ensure an Irish club lifted the most coveted prize in European rugby union for a fourth time in six years. Those following the Rugby World Cup latest odds will wonder why English sides do so poorly when the England team is relatively strong.
There has been constant wrangling that English sides are at a disadvantage when it comes to the Heineken Cup as a salary cap does not restrict French clubs and also the Irish rugby season is planned around the tournament. Those placing rugby bets should remember this.
Brown, who has seen his Harlequins side paired with Gloucester, Toulouse and Connacht in Pool 6 for next season's Heineken Cup, reckons Quins experience winning the Amlin Cup this season will give them a boost.
He said: "I believe an English club can go on and win it. Northampton were really close.
"It's about turning up on the day and playing to the best of your ability. Any club from England in this competition is capable of winning it."
Defending champions Leinster have been paired with Bath, Glasgow and Montpellier for next season's Heineken Cup group stage, while Northampton will meet Muster, Scarlets and Castres.
The other English sides competing are London Irish, Leicester Tigers and Aviva Premiership champions Saracens, with all three teams given relatively simple group opponents as they look to break the English winless streak in the Heineken Cup.
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