Pro14 Season 2019-2020

Digifriendly · 09-05-2020 11:11AM

There is much talk of a second wave of this pandemic in the autumn. If that is the case will there then be a 2020/1 season at all?

Sheep Shagger · 09-05-2020 01:38PM

Digifriendly wrote: »

There is much talk of a second wave of this pandemic in the autumn. If that is the case will there then be a 2020/1 season at all?

It's hard to see how there will be any new season until rapid testing is available - players get tested say 2 hours before KO and can only play if they are clear (games are played behind closed doors).

Emirates have started doing it for passengers, maybe an option there...

Digifriendly · 10-05-2020 06:30AM

BBC Sport saying there is a possibility of restarting Pro 14 in mid August. Have teams play 2 regular season matches against teams in their own country. Then move to knock out phase in September.

Digifriendly · 10-05-2020 06:37AM

BBC Sport reporting plan to restart Pro 14 season in late August behind closed doors. Teams to play 2 regular season games against teams in their own country and then move straight to knock out phase in September.

Buer · 10-05-2020 07:11AM

Digifriendly wrote: »

BBC Sport reporting plan to restart Pro 14 season in late August behind closed doors. Teams to play 2 regular season games against teams in their own country and then move straight to knock out phase in September.

Saw that. Intriguing. Something has to give somewhere along the way. This plan, the rumoured EPC proposal to complete this season's European competition, the autumn tests and the Lions tour all along with the normal domestic seasons....I can see at least two of the above not happening if not more.

I'd guess the EPC proposal and autumn tests won't go ahead. The Pro 12 proposal could work as it would essentially eliminate any travel to Italy or SA. It all seems a little pointless though as the top 2 sides in each conference are well ahead so are close to certain to be the semi finalists.

The only question mark would be Ulster as the Cheetahs could well take 10 points from a double header with the Kings meaning Ulster would have to get something from one of their games. They're 7 ahead at the moment with a game in hand so I assume everyone would be given 2 points to make up for that putting Ulster 9 points ahead. Munster are 8 points ahead of the Scarlets.

The provincial matches would be the unfulfilled interpros from this season, I assume meaning we'd see:

Leinster vs Munster
Ulster vs Leinster
Connacht vs Ulster
Munster vs Connacht

connachta · 10-05-2020 09:01AM

So again any team but Connacht favored

Westerners facing 2 of the best (Ulster and Munster) without opportunity to get points vs Zebre etc
Treviso facing weak Zebre twice, + handed 4 points they might never have had for cancelled games

Pro14 with added derbies was an amount of unfairness. But this (derbies alone) is awful.

Back to a home-and-return competition, please

thomond2006 · 10-05-2020 09:11AM

Void the season and start over with 2020/21.

Oh and disband Connacht.

Panda Killa · 10-05-2020 09:25AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Void the season and start over with 2020/21.

Oh and disband Connacht.

Oooooh... that's controversial....

Don't think anyone wants to abandon the season

Rigor Mortis · 10-05-2020 11:38AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Void the season and start over with 2020/21.

Oh and disband Connacht.

It seems very unfair to rob Munster of their annual big day out in the Semi Final

Rigor Mortis · 10-05-2020 01:04PM

connachta wrote: »

So again any team but Connacht favored

Westerners facing 2 of the best (Ulster and Munster) without opportunity to get points vs Zebre etc
Treviso facing weak Zebre twice, + handed 4 points they might never have had for cancelled games

Pro14 with added derbies was an amount of unfairness. But this (derbies alone) is awful.

Back to a home-and-return competition, please

If Connacht are serious about being a top four team they should look at that list and say if we beat Ulster we have a head to head against Munster (who have probably just lost away to Leinster) to potentially knock them out.

Glasgow could get totally shafted out of the play offs here and are getting a far worse deal than Connnacht.

Yes this isnt an ideal way to end it, but it has to be ended somehow.

Burkie1203 · 10-05-2020 01:18PM

connachta wrote: »

So again any team but Connacht favored

Give it a rest. International travel and cross border competitions are pretty much a no go right now.

Whats your solution?

thelad95 · 10-05-2020 01:36PM

Surely a more equitable way would be to just fast forward to the inevitable Leinster v Edinburgh final anyway? Ravenhill being a fair neutral ground

Burkie1203 · 10-05-2020 01:41PM

thelad95 wrote: »

Surely a more equitable way would be to just fast forward to the inevitable Leinster v Edinburgh final anyway? Ravenhill being a fair neutral ground

I reckon holding some derbies would be to placate TV companies possibly

thomond2006 · 10-05-2020 01:44PM

The Pro14 with its guaranteed derbies in the schedule is convoluted enough. Just write off this season, it's a mess. Start 2020/21 with derbies with full strength sides.

El_Duderino 09 · 10-05-2020 02:15PM

thelad95 wrote: »

Surely a more equitable way would be to just fast forward to the inevitable Leinster v Edinburgh final anyway? Ravenhill being a fair neutral ground

It doesn't really matter where it's played ad there won't be any fans there. Could be played anywhere.

I so set if it's best to just forget it and move on. I don't think people want to watch top level sport without any fans in attendance. Die hard fans would watch but if you're trying to attract the casual fan then you're better off not putting on any performance than putting on a bad show.

The season is already a mess. It's not anyone's fault and I think it's just time to write it off.

Sheep Shagger · 10-05-2020 02:42PM

From the Comms manager for the PRO14.

troyzer · 11-05-2020 08:11AM

Digifriendly wrote: »

BBC Sport saying there is a possibility of restarting Pro 14 in mid August. Have teams play 2 regular season matches against teams in their own country. Then move to knock out phase in September.

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Eod100 · 11-05-2020 11:07AM

Good overview of where rugby competitions are at now but short version is nobody knows how they will finish yet.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...-39195312.html

Digifriendly · 11-05-2020 01:23PM

Eod100 wrote: »

Good overview of where rugby competitions are at now but short version is nobody knows how they will finish yet.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...-39195312.htm

Link leads to 'page not found.' Think it's missing 'l' at end.

Maybe this is the right link - https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-in-wait-and-see-mode-as-officials-weigh-up-options-39195312.html

Eod100 · 11-05-2020 01:30PM

Digifriendly wrote: »

Link leads to 'page not found.' Think it's missing 'l' at end.

Maybe this is the right link - https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-in-wait-and-see-mode-as-officials-weigh-up-options-39195312.html

You're right, thanks. Tried to edit original link but doesn't change for some reason

Sheep Shagger · 11-05-2020 03:23PM

The inter pro model is what NZ are doing now that are out of substantial lockdown- all to be played behind closed doors.

prawnsambo · 11-05-2020 03:37PM

Not sure if this is kite flying or an option that's being considered, but apparently Welsh teams are considering moving to Ireland in order to complete the Pro 14 season. And it's in Wales Online so caveats obviously.

CatFromHue · 11-05-2020 04:11PM

Lanelli and Cardiff's stadiums being used as field hospital's is a very scary line to read.

The Scots would have to move across too if that plan were to go ahead.

KevinK · 11-05-2020 07:07PM

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

The inter pro model is what NZ are doing now that are out of substantial lockdown- all to be played behind closed doors.

Does this look more exciting than super rugby to anyone else?

Squidgy Black · 11-05-2020 07:21PM

KevinK wrote: »

Does this look more exciting than super rugby to anyone else?

It's like a 'best of' version of Super Rugby, the New Zealand games tend to be the most entertaining anyways.

b.gud · 11-05-2020 07:55PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

Not sure if this is kite flying or an option that's being considered, but apparently Welsh teams are considering moving to Ireland in order to complete the Pro 14 season. And it's in Wales Online so caveats obviously.

I want this to happen for no other reason than to see the reaction of Welsh Rugby Twitter

Eod100 · 11-05-2020 08:33PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

Not sure if this is kite flying or an option that's being considered, but apparently Welsh teams are considering moving to Ireland in order to complete the Pro 14 season. And it's in Wales Online so caveats obviously.

Yeah was mentioned in this article but seems to be dismissed.

''And it looks highly unlikely that all matches will be staged in one country despite a report stating that all teams would relocate to Ireland to form "a bubble" and play all remaining fixtures here. This has been investigated as a possibility, but looks too challenging to pull off.''

A floating stadium would have been handy right about now..

Helps with climate change too sure!

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/rugby-in-wait-and-see-mode-as-officials-weigh-up-options-39195312.html

Burkie1203 · 13-05-2020 05:12PM

https://twitter.com/ospreys/status/1260615767218946048?s=19

Blisterman · 14-05-2020 01:03PM

Has anyone had any luck getting refunds to postponed matches? Seems that even if the season restarts, it'll be behind closed doors, so I can't see the tickets being valid anyway.

salmocab · 14-05-2020 02:53PM

Blisterman wrote: »

Has anyone had any luck getting refunds to postponed matches? Seems that even if the season restarts, it'll be behind closed doors, so I can't see the tickets being valid anyway.

I’d say they are very much waiting until things are sorted and plans are made. I’d say they will be looking at STHs getting discounts on future fixtures but without knowing when crowds will be allowed this is awkward and for the likes of the quarter final of Europe it’s probably down to when it’s officially cancelled or rescheduled and how the rules are then.

Pro14 Season 2019-2020

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