Official EPCR Champions Cup Preview Thread - A New Hope

irishbucsfan

Leinster

thomond2006 wrote: »

Can anything be done about the French not caring about the Challenge Cup? I know Montpellier were fined a few seasons ago for leaving out players in their European squad but this seems to be a lineup issue as opposed to a squad.

I think the only thing that would make those sides care is money, I think we're a long way away from being able to offer enough of that in the Challenge Cup.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Can anything be done about the French not caring about the Challenge Cup? I know Montpellier were fined a few seasons ago for leaving out players in their European squad but this seems to be a lineup issue as opposed to a squad.

Do the organisers care about the Challenge Cup?

molloyjh

Leinster

Pretty poor attendance at the Toulouse-Montpellier game. Toulouse starting well.

thomond2006

Leinster

phog wrote: »

Do the organisers care about the Challenge Cup?

Well it's no change to the attitude under ERC so the blame can't be put at EPCR's door.

razorblunt

Osprey-lia? Sackable offense for Robson? Utter dirge.

molloyjh

Leinster

Absolutely awesome try from Huget. He is class.

Buer

Glasgow

BP for the Ospreys. They're unbelievably comfortable handling the ball from 1-15, even under a rush defence.

CatFromHue

Ospreys have played 7 in all comps this season have won 7, unless Treviso score 38pts in 25min.

They're away to Northampton next week though!

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Well it's no change to the attitude under ERC so the blame can't be put at EPCR's door.

In fairness, the ERC had tried to improve the Challenge cup competition and it seems the EPRC have just gone and undone the improvements.

irishbucsfan

Leinster

phog wrote: »

In fairness, the ERC had tried to improve the Challenge cup competition and it seems the EPRC have just gone and undone the improvements.

Well that's clearly not true. The only way I think someone could reach this conclusion is if they completely ignored the entire history of the Challenge Cup and then invented a false alternative history in their minds, where the pools weren't ridiculously one sided and sides weren't pulling out of the competition weeks before it started.

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well that's clearly not true. The only way I think someone could reach this conclusion is if they completely ignored the entire history of the Challenge Cup and then invented a false alternative history in their minds, where the pools weren't ridiculously one sided and sides weren't pulling out of the competition weeks before it started.

Are you trying to imply that the Challenge Cup hasn't been improved since it's inception?

sydneybound

Great last 5 minutes in the Toulouse game.

Montpellier getting a late late bonus point, exciting stuff in the end.

matthew8

Leinster

What a fascinating pool. Bath well off the pace this week but considering the 45-0 over Leicester and 21-11 over Saracens you'd fancy them to beat Toulouse next week. Glasgow have got over the hurdle of winning at home in Europe, now they have the hurdle of winning away. The winner might only win 3 times because I don't see where an away team will be favoured.

irishbucsfan

Leinster

phog wrote: »

Are you trying to imply that the Challenge Cup hasn't been improved since it's inception?

No, I didn't say anything remotely along those lines.

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

No, I didn't say anything remotely along those lines.

So do you agree with me the ERC did in fact improve the Challenge Cup?

irishbucsfan

Leinster

phog wrote: »

So do you agree with me the ERC did in fact improve the Challenge Cup?

Yes, they made numerous improvements to the Challege Cup!

sydneybound

Say one thing about their owner but Toulon have some set of fans. Looks a great rugby stadium which is packed to the rafters.

That starter guy shouting also adds a bit of fun to the occasion.

corny

Harsh yellow. Warning would have sufficed.

Molester Stallone II

Racing

Is it 10 non French players in the Toulon starting XV ?

corny

Thats brilliant Matt Giteau

phog

corny wrote: »

Thats brilliant Matt Giteau

Not so brilliant from Halfpenny

Hagz

Saracens

Of all the Welsh players, Scott Williams is the one I respect the most. He fights for every inch for his country and his club.

former legend

Leinster

Hagz wrote: »

Of all the Welsh players, Scott Williams is the one I respect the most. He fights for every inch for his country and his club.

Oops

thomond2006

Leinster

phog wrote: »

So do you agree with me the ERC did in fact improve the Challenge Cup?

The French attitude is no different to last year.

I imagine they will reintroduce the CC spot to the winners soon.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

The French attitude is no different to last year.

I imagine they will reintroduce the CC spot to the winners soon.

That's probably true but you know in France the T14 is their Holy Grail.

phog

Liam Williams just put in a try saving tackle there on Matt Giteau to shouts of appreciation in our house

thomond2006

Leinster

phog wrote: »

Liam Williams just put in a try saving tackle there on Matt Giteau to shouts of appreciation in our house

That won't do.

Hagz

Saracens

They really need to revise the maul rule, I don't care what any of yous say. That ball was playable if not for Ali Williams clasping onto it with hands because he's allowed to because it's a maul. Totally idiotic.

The Lost Sheep

Hagz wrote: »

They really need to revise the maul rule, I don't care what any of yous say. That ball was playable if not for Ali Williams clasping onto it with hands because he's allowed to because it's a maul. Totally idiotic.

What would you change it to? I don't think it needs to be changed

former legend

Leinster

Well done Scarlets. Rugby as it is meant to be played.

Toulon not terribly impressive.