EPCR - Pro12 Qualifications

Dravokivich

Hi All,

So I see Pro12 qualifications for Europe has changed again.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/epcr-introduce-changes-to-champions-cup-qualification/

it's set to the top 7 absolutely after next season. So no further representation per union from the pro 12.

whatawaster

Dravokivich wrote: »

Hi All,

So I see Pro12 qualifications for Europe has changed again.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/epcr-introduce-changes-to-champions-cup-qualification/

it's set to the top 7 absolutely after next season. So no further representation per union from the pro 12.

That's great news for the Pro 12 and for the ECC. No more easy Italian groups.

I think Ireland will benefit greatly from this because we will have a decent shot at 4 making the top 7

Neil3030

I'm guessing the playoffs have also been scrapped?

7 - Pro 12
6 - Prem
6 - Top14
1 - Challenge Cup winner/runner-up

= 20 teams.

buck65

Rightly so, playoffs are a joke.

The Lost Sheep

buck65 wrote: »

Rightly so, playoffs are a joke.

I dont see how they are. Helps mid table of league a bit more and in time should be expanded if we can get sides from more countries up to playing higher level of rugby.

connemara man

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I dont see how they are. Helps mid table of league a bit more and in time should be expanded if we can get sides from more countries up to playing higher level of rugby.

The playoffs are a farce as by being there they make the challenge cup a competition with no real progression. Then you have the draws, for example if Connacht win Saturday they have home advantage the week after, even though they came lower than Cardiff. If anything the system created a race down one top 5 couldn't be achieved in the pro 12

And if/when there are other countries that have teams able to stand up in the Champions cup the terms and league arrangements will need to be looked at again.

The Lost Sheep

connemara man wrote: »

The playoffs are a farce as by being there they make the challenge cup a competition with no real progression. Then you have the draws, for example if Connacht win Saturday they have home advantage the week after, even though they came lower than Cardiff. If anything the system created a race down one top 5 couldn't be achieved in the pro 12

And if/when there are other countries that have teams able to stand up in the Champions cup the terms and league arrangements will need to be looked at again.

Would challenge cup really improve so much if its winners got into the champions cup?
You would still have lots of french teams fielding their espoirs as they would be far more concerned with resting first xv guys and concentrating on avoiding relegation from top14.

connemara man

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Would challenge cup really improve so much if its winners got into the champions cup?
You would still have lots of french teams fielding their espoirs as they would be far more concerned with resting first xv guys and concentrating on avoiding relegation from top14.

Yes it would. There's a genuine reason for winning the competition now. The last few years it's been a secondary competition with zero progression to the Champions cup, but you do get a spot in a play off to get a chance to go to the Champions. Why would you try hard in it.

For the French the Top14 will more than likely always be the be all and end all for them, but by putting structures in place where a competition has a progressive prize at the end there is a chance that they'll take it more seriously.
It also gives the Italian teams another chance to get to the Champions cup on merit. And if any of the plate winners go on an incredible run they can end up in the Champions cup without having to go through two ore matches.
And if/when teams from Georgia, Russia, Portugal, and Spain start constantly making the knockouts of the challenge cup the system will need to be looked at again

icdg

The playoffs have indeed been scrapped and the Challenge Cup winner will indeed once again have automatic qualification (but unlike before it will then go to the runner up if they are already qualified)

http://m.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/news/35907.php

leakyboots

What happens if both finalists have already qualified?

Peregrine

Now, you could win the Champions Cup and fail to qualify for the Champions Cup whereas the Challenge Cup winner qualifies.

pickarooney

Peregrine wrote: »

Now, you could win the Champions Cup and fail to qualify for the Champions Cup whereas the Challenge Cup winner qualifies.

And you could get relegated and qualify for the Champions Cup.

Peregrine

Peregrine wrote: »

Now, you could win the Champions Cup and fail to qualify for the Champions Cup whereas the Challenge Cup winner qualifies.

pickarooney wrote: »

And you could get relegated and qualify for the Champions Cup.

Dravokivich

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He's not talking about the pro12 there.

connachta

leakyboots wrote: »

What happens if both finalists have already qualified?

New rules :
What happens if BOTH Challenge Cup winner AND finalist are qualified through their League?
Exceptional play-off?

Edit : could well happen on a regular basis, for example 2 within 3 of LaRochelle, Ospreys or Bath, who weren't far this season

Same Question, no answers/hypothesis yet...

KBurke85

I'd imagine in that case there would be an extra place for the league that wins the Challenge Cup