In Pictures: The Usual Suspects-inspired Heineken Cup photocall

We often scoff at sporting photocalls for their lack of creativity, an accusation that couldn’t be levelled at the organisers of the Heineken Cup launch today.

Most rugby fans will already have repeatedly circled the date on the calendar with the brightest red marker around, but in case you didn’t know, the Heineken Cup returns next weekend. Yes, next weekend.

With less than a fortnight to go until the beginning of the latest edition of the premier tournament in European and possibly World club rugby, the captains and managers of the Irish sides gathered for a little photo shoot at the Aviva Stadium today and all credit to the organisers, it wasn’t your run of the mill sporting event launch.

The conclusions we reached from The Usual Suspects-style photo shoot are that Rob Penney is scary, Gavin Duffy and Doug Howlett are a little bit vain and that Johann Muller is so big, he makes six foot men look tiny by comparison.

Anyway, have a flick through the photos for yourself above, the mere sight of the players, the trophy and the Aviva Stadium should be enough to whet the appetite ahead of next weekend and the Heineken Cup campaign ahead.

We can’t wait.