4 provinces in the Heineken Cup ?

istep

What does everyone think are the chances of our western friends nabbing a fourth HC berth for Ireland next year. Know it's a bit of a long shot but you never know .... and qualifying 4th in Ireland will they be just cannon fodder in a group ?What Italian club are they likely to play off against if they can finish above the worst scottish and welsh celtic league teams ?

Nukem

Think if Connacht got in it would be brilliant for irish rugby.They have a few players that are very talented and do remeber they shipped a load of players over seas and may be tempted to come back (long shot) if they had HC status

istep

Yeah it'd be great for the game in connacht and Ireland and as you say it might help lure one or two players who may waiver at the prospect of connacht

Snickers Man

What exactly has to happen for Connacht to graduate to the HC next year?

Teg Veece

The Irish provinces are placed in the HC based purely on the Celtic League finishing positions according to the IRFU. Which means that conceivably Munster could win the cup and be Ireland's lowest seed in next year's competition!

LostinBlanch

Well it'd be one in the eye for the IRFU for trying to close them down a couple of years ago. A farcical idea more worthy of the FAI.

smackbunnybaby

Snickers Man wrote:

What exactly has to happen for Connacht to graduate to the HC next year?

i heard from someone that connaught would have to finish ahead of one scottish and one welsh team in the celtic league.but im not sure if that is true.
id love to see HC at the sportsground thou!!!

spanner

seemly the game is growing very fast out the west from the grass roots level maybe some one from the area knows more. what a boost to the game out there if it was get into the HC

daveirl

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Funkstard

It'd be absolutely great if they got into it IMO. Qualification would both boost popularity of the sport in the west and benefit the club economically aswell, along with giving them an increased profile

Amazotheamazing

Funkstard wrote:

It'd be absolutely great if they got into it IMO. Qualification would both boost popularity of the sport in the west and benefit the club economically aswell, along with giving them an increased profile

Connacht play good teams all the time, in the last 14 months they's played Sale and Worcester in Connacht, as well as some good French teams, and all the top Celtic teams, how would being whipping boys in the HEC help them become more popular?

The only way Connacht's support will really grow is by the IRFU allowing them keep at least some of their good players.

daveirl

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Amazotheamazing

I agree Dave, I think Connacht's attendances have peaked, or near enough to peaked anyway. The IRFU need to re-energise Connacht somehow.

istep

daveirl wrote:

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Sportsground isn't that bad as facilities go ... but as for atmosphere you are right ... saw newcastle play there last year ( happened to be in galway ) and not much in the way of atmosphere

Hermione*

daveirl wrote:

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My dad refers to it as Pneumonia Park, after his experiences freexing his ass playing there! Thomond Park in the wind and rain is more fun imo