Champions Cup 2024

phog

The Finals are being held in Spurs Stadium next year.

https://twitter.com/TelegraphRugby/status/1650557116246024206?t=Y9kjRIBTD69t3aChOKxn2g&s=19

Podge_irl

Excited to see the stadium as I've heard some good things. Absolutely despise London as a venue for the final. 2012 was an amazing experience right up until the last trains starting leaving from Twickenham and then it was shite.

OldRio

That's dissapointing. That area of London is not exactly the best.

Digifriendly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120517192#Comment_120517192

Can you explain why? Are transport links not good?

ArmaniJeanss

I thought it was fine for the NFL game last year. Easy transport from Stansted to Hale if day-tripping and fully connected to the Underground if staying overnights, good craic on the main street in the run-up to the game. Though London itself kinda suffers from being so enormous that there is no central area where everyone stays/congregates the night before a game.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120518123#Comment_120518123

Its too big and the event is completely lost.

OldRio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120518123#Comment_120518123

Transport links to London are of course excellent. Unfortunately the transport links and match day experience at the last Premiership Rugby game, left a lot to be desired, from what I read.

England has already had a high number of finals in the last 10 or so years. Surely other countries should be considered. Grow the game etc.

Eod100

Spurs ground confirmed as venue. Think EPCR playing it a bit safe. It was in Newcastle in 2019 and London in 2021 although with reduced capacity. Would have like to have seen it go somewhere different. Bit odd that Spain with no clubs involved got it before Italy in the past. Will be interesting to see who puts themselves forward for hosting in 2025 and 2026.

Boscoirl

Disappointed with London, no interest in going there. there will be no atmosphere around the city.

The last time i went there for the final was in 2000 and England were playing brazil in Wembley the same day. you wouldn't have known either game was on

phog

The 6Ns in Rome is a brilliant day/weekend and I'd love if the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals were held there at some stage.

Dubinusa

Parc ui Chaoimh would be great! The G.A.A would allow it. Pity really, Cork would be a great host.

Jump_In_Jack

Páirc Uí Chaoimh in summer is probably not an option. Though, you never know, if Cork GAA want to cash in on their asset, they may be tempted.

Cookiemunster

Outside of clashes with the Munster Championships, I doubt it would be a runner for logistical reasons. The Aviva, with 51000 seats, is the smallest stadium (when crowds have been allowed) to host the final in over 20 years. Plus half the capacity is on the terraces behind the goals, so less chance to sell premium tickets. They're not going to go for a stadium with not just a smaller capacity, but practically no premium seating compared to previous final venues. It's the premium seating and facilites that makes the Aviva (and the likes of San Memes) a runner with the smaller capacity.

I'd hope Munster can make use of it in future HCC knock out games, but the final is a non runner.

lawrencesummers

They are happy to move munster championship fixtures when ed sherran is playing his banjo.

A Hcup final would only impact one weekend of hirling fixtures, the seniors can be scheduled an away game that weekend relatively easily.

Cookiemunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533452#Comment_120533452

Read my post. That's not the issue. It's a great GAA stadium. However it's not a great stadium by international standards. 50% capacity is behind the goal terracing and it has a limited premium offering.

It would definitely be a sell out, but it wouldn't make enough profit for the EPCR.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533537#Comment_120533537

Its a better stadium than that kip of the aviva

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533546#Comment_120533546

🙄

The better thing is subjective, but for the purposes of what EPCR are looking for it most definitely isn't, its significantly worse and its never even going to come up in conversation for one.

lawrencesummers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533569#Comment_120533569

🙄 your speaking on behalf of them now are you?

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533584#Comment_120533584

I know what they look for in a final venue yes.

PUC does not have the general capacity, the seating capacity or the premium and media capacity that they require. It would be a great stadium for a Munster SF but that's it.

phog

Bath by hammering Saracens have squeezed into the CC next season.

But how stupid is it that 8 from 11Premiership teams can qualify for the Cup. Surely that needs to be looked at.

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564671#Comment_120564671

Not that different in quality than the top 8 in the URC.

Happyhouse22

Any word on a format for next year?

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564671#Comment_120564671

"Every game in the premiership is competitive"

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564976#Comment_120564976

Same format as far as I know. Weekend dates for the rounds next season have the 4 rounds.

pickarooney

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564958#Comment_120564958

Or the top 7 and some random Welsh side.

Eod100

Teams qualified for next season:

URC

Leinster, Ulster, Stormers, Glasgow, Munster, Bulls, Connacht, Cardiff

Premiership

Saracens, Sale, Leicester, Northampton, London Irish, Harlequins, Exeter, Bath

Top 14 (as it stands, 2 rounds to go)

La Rochelle, Toulouse, Stade Francais, Racing, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulon, Bayonne

Clermont, Montpellier, Castres, Pau (all within at least 10 points of Bayonne in 8th)

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565127#Comment_120565127

That is true but that’s gone from next year I think.

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564958#Comment_120564958

Whatever about quality, it's 8 out of 16 for the URC. 50% of the teams won't make it.

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565139#Comment_120565139

URC seeding:

1st seed: Winner of the final: 1 of Leinster,Munster, Stormers, Connacht

2nd seed: Runner-up in final: 1 of Leinster,Munster, Stormers, Connacht

3rd seed: 3 of Leinster, Ulster, Stormers, Glasgow

4th seed: 3 of Munster, Bulls, Connacht, Cardiff

Am open to correction on the above but seems to be the case based on this:

2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup draw

(4.) The seeding for the 2022/23 EPCR Heineken Champions Cup draw will be determined as follows:

(4.1) the winner of the Final Match will be first seed;

(4.2) the runner-up in the Final Match will be second seed (provided that the runner-up has qualified for the EPCR Heineken Champions Cup in accordance with paragraphs 2-4, above);

(4.3) the remaining seeds will be determined by the order that the EPCR Heineken Champions Cup qualifiers finished in the final Standing League Table.

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565150#Comment_120565150

Can’t see the Welsh Rugby Union allowing that to change. Has to be a unanimous decision to change it.

CIARAN_BOYLE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565230#Comment_120565230

The plan was for the place for shield winners to be a short term thing. It needs a unanimous decision to change the plan.

Therefore it's changing.