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Champions Cup 2019/20 - Round 2

  • 20-11-2019 8:58am
    #1
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,119 ✭✭✭✭


    Fri 22
    Ulster v Clermont


    Sat 23 Nov. 2019
    Saracens v Ospreys
    Benetton v Northampton
    Toulouse v Connacht
    Lyon v Leinster
    Exeter v Glasgow
    Munster v Racing
    Harlequins v Bath


    Sun 24 Nov. 2019
    Sale v La Rochelle
    Montpellier v Gloucester



    Some huge fixtures this week, going to go for
    Clermont
    Sarries
    Benetton
    Toulouse
    Leinster
    Exeter
    Racing
    Harlequins
    Sale
    Montpellier


    Big week for Saracens and their team selection could still be mixed if they decide to chuck Europe. TBP point win essential. An intriguing game in store.


    Ulster v Clermont the pick of the weekend for me. Cracking way to start the weekend

    If Connacht get anything out of Toulouse it will be a great result.


«1345678

Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    It's a great weekend of rugby. Lots of important fixtures.

    Given the advantage of a home quarter / semi I think anything less than a win for Ulster or Munster really reduces their chances of winning the whole thing.

    Similarly for Leinster and Connacht but as they're away they can afford a slip up and still make the top 2.

    I think Sarries will throw the pool as much as possible. They are in a relegation battle, the last thing they'll want is additional games. At best they'll use it for player development.

    If Leinster win in Lyon and Northampton lose in Italy then I think we've the pool sown up.

    Lots of quality line ups. Can't wait.


  • #3
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,119 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    It's a great weekend of rugby. Lots of important fixtures.

    Given the advantage of a home quarter / semi I think anything less than a win for Ulster or Munster really reduces their chances of winning the whole thing.

    Similarly for Leinster and Connacht but as they're away they can afford a slip up and still make the top 2.

    I think Sarries will throw the pool as much as possible. They are in a relegation battle, the last thing they'll want is additional games. At best they'll use it for player development.

    If Leinster win in Lyon and Northampton lose in Italy then I think we've the pool sown up.

    Lots of quality line ups. Can't wait.


    Think Sarries have got lucky with fixtures. A TBP opportunity v Ospreys is far more agreeable then a game v Munster right now.

    They likely would have lost away to R92 anyway. So TBP v Ospreys and then go for it v Munster x2. They can basically give it 2 games full tilt and if out of the running then focus on GP.

    3 euro games and 1 GP game (Bath away) in next 4 weeks. They need to give England players gametime to get them upto speed too. Can see them making the call on Europe after Munster x 2. If Munster can trade out of that 6-5 points wise (or better) then Sarries are done


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    Think Sarries have got lucky with fixtures. A TBP opportunity v Ospreys is far more agreeable then a game v Munster right now.

    They likely would have lost away to R92 anyway. So TBP v Ospreys and then go for it v Munster x2. They can basically give it 2 games full tilt and if out of the running then focus on GP.

    3 euro games and 1 GP game (Bath away) in next 4 weeks. They need to give England players gametime to get them upto speed too. Can see them making the call on Europe after Munster x 2. If Munster can trade out of that 6-5 points wise (or better) then Sarries are done

    I think Sarries will put reasonably strong teams out at home and send the kids on the road.

    Relegation is a genuinely serious risk, every fixture is a proper battle from now until the end of the season. I can't see any situation where they'll want to have to play a quarter / semi / final especially as such a chunk of their team is already recovering from a world cup.

    Sarries right now will be hoping that they don't start losing some of their big names, they'll want to be out of relegation risk as soon as is humanly possible as the risk of demotion will impact their recruitment.

    Best case scenario, they hold onto most of their names - manage to stay in the Prem and fight their way back into Europe season after next.

    Munster & Racing the big beneficiaries of this ruling from a Heineken cup perspective, but it also means that top 2 is more open generally.


  • #5
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users Posts: 4,015 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    Harlequins vs Bath, Sale vs La Rochelle and Montpellier vs Gloucester all must win games for each side. Defeat would surely put a realistic end to qualifying from their respective pools. Anyone think Benetton could turn over Northampton at home?


  • #6
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,119 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Digifriendly wrote: »
    Benetton could turn over Northampton at home?


    I think they will


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  • #7
    cameramonkey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,220 ✭✭✭cameramonkey


    Digifriendly wrote: »
    Harlequins vs Bath, Sale vs La Rochelle and Montpellier vs Gloucester all must win games for each side. Defeat would surely put a realistic end to qualifying from their respective pools. Anyone think Benetton could turn over Northampton at home?


    Just looking at the Northampton fans forum and they are saying that they should rest a few players against Benetton. I dont think they realise what a tough match it will be. I think if they underestimate Benetton they may be in for a shock.


  • #8
    Bridge93
    Registered Users Posts: 7,018 ✭✭✭Bridge93


    Cooney has butchered that


  • #9
    Faugheen
    Site Banned Posts: 12,341 ✭✭✭✭Faugheen


    Scrappy as hell here. Awful so far.


  • #10
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,605 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    A single carry for Clermont in the first 12 minutes is an insane stat.


  • #11
    gooch2k9
    Registered Users Posts: 1,648 ✭✭✭gooch2k9


    Jesus Ferris is hard to listen to!


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  • #12
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,605 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    Addison was criminally slow there.


  • #13
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,667 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    Great from Raka, but Ulster's defending was shocking. Stockdale just fell off him. He's lucky that wasn't a try as it was a crap attempt.

    Ludik and Addison were awful there too.


  • #14
    clsmooth
    Registered Users Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭clsmooth


    Got away with that one. Haven’t been too impressed with Ludik. Addison a bit hit and miss so far


  • #15
    ScrubsfanChris
    Registered Users Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    Clegg wrote: »
    Great from Raka, but Ulster's defending was shocking. Stockdale just fell off him. He's lucky that wasn't a try as it was a crap attempt.

    Ludik and Addison were awful there too.
    Pretty sure Stockdale pulled out of that, otherwise he would have been penalised for taken someone without the ball.


  • #16
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Ferris is tough to listen to, should really be sitting in the stands with the rest of the fans.


  • #17
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Addison could be in trouble. Poor technique didn’t even look at the tackle.


  • #18
    Bridge93
    Registered Users Posts: 7,018 ✭✭✭Bridge93


    Very lucky bloke Addison


  • #19
    2smiggy
    Registered Users Posts: 19,922 ✭✭✭✭2smiggy


    Why not have a look at that. Strange to say the least


  • #20
    Faugheen
    Site Banned Posts: 12,341 ✭✭✭✭Faugheen


    TMO has got that one very wrong there I think.


  • #21
    Bridge93
    Registered Users Posts: 7,018 ✭✭✭Bridge93


    Ugo Monye has to be one of the worst in the business


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  • #22
    171170
    Closed Accounts Posts: 321 ✭✭171170


    Bridge93 wrote: »
    Ugo Monye has to be one of the worst in the business

    Up there with both Ferris and JP Doyle on tonight's performance.

    Three crooked throws by Ulster without a peep then he penalises Clermont for one when the crowd tells him to. Makes Jaco Peyper look competent.


  • #23
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Marcel Coetzee is the best 8 in European rugby? Behave yourself, Ferris.


  • #24
    ScrubsfanChris
    Registered Users Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    To miss touch once is awful, to do it twice is inexcusable


  • #25
    testtech05
    Registered Users Posts: 1,964 ✭✭✭testtech05


    ScrubsfanChris wrote: »
    To miss touch once is awful, to do it twice is inexcusable

    Was it Cooney both times??


  • #26
    Chris871
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Chris871


    this is a dreadful game of rugby, error after error.


  • #27
    testtech05
    Registered Users Posts: 1,964 ✭✭✭testtech05


    Chris871 wrote: »
    this is a dreadful game of rugby, error after error.

    Conditions are very bad but some of the errors are unforgivable stuff


  • #28
    Chris871
    Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭Chris871


    testtech05 wrote: »
    Conditions are very bad but some of the errors are unforgivable stuff

    Yeah handling wise, but three missed touches between them is awful stuff too


  • #29
    razorblunt
    Registered Users Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    Bit of an awkward shoehorning in of Nevin Spence there by the comms.


  • #30
    ScrubsfanChris
    Registered Users Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    I thaught if a penalty try is awarded a card has to be given? He also gave Ulster a final warning.


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  • #31
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,605 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    razorblunt wrote: »
    Bit of an awkward shoehorning in of Nevin Spence there by the comms.

    Ferris sounded a bit uncomfortable about it in fairness to him, was a strange thing to throw in by Eykyn considering it was just out of the blue.


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