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Pro14 Season 2019-2020

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Comments

  • #1052
    salmocab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,947 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    bilston wrote: »
    I'm happy squaring it with the Six Nations argument!

    The nature of the same fixtures every year is different to different clubs qualifying some years and not others which could make it difficult.


  • #1053
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    8*3 sounds absolutely awful but we live in strange times.

    Is that the 8 teams that finish first in each pool qualify for the quarter-finals?

    Or will they have a knock-out before that?


  • #1054
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Eod100 wrote: »
    Is that the 8 teams that finish first in each pool qualify for the quarter-finals?

    Or will they have a knock-out before that?

    Pool winners in QF only. Anything else is a farce.


  • #1055
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    Pool winners in QF only. Anything else is a farce.

    I think with 8 groups it could be anyway but yeah true. Just wasnt sure would they have system for runners up like current format but coming 2nd in a group of 3 isn't great


  • #1056
    Granny15
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭Granny15


    Will we see the PRO14 back before August considering the government has cleared rugby from the 29th June? Only thing stopping it is restrictions in other countries. Anyone know when Italy and SA are re starting contact sports?


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  • #1057
    salmocab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,947 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    Granny15 wrote: »
    Will we see the PRO14 back before August considering the government has cleared rugby from the 29th June? Only thing stopping it is restrictions in other countries. Anyone know when Italy and SA are re starting contact sports?

    Pretty sure there was a six weeks of training agreement. It won’t start early


  • #1058
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Granny15 wrote: »
    Will we see the PRO14 back before August considering the government has cleared rugby from the 29th June? Only thing stopping it is restrictions in other countries. Anyone know when Italy and SA are re starting contact sports?

    Nah I'd say not, needs to suit all the countries so can't see any big changes like that at this stage.


  • #1059
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Nearly missing the pro14 at this stage. Premier League just isn't the same, desperate times! :pac:


  • #1060
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers, Paid Member Posts: 44,219 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    I hope the pro 14 introduce the same breakdown strictness they are employing in Super Rugby


  • #1061
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    I hope the pro 14 introduce the same breakdown strictness they are employing in Super Rugby


    They're supposed to. WR review decided that there was nothing wrong with the breakdown laws, just that they weren't being enforced. Refs have been told to enforce then properly. https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/world-rugby-to-reinforce-breakdown-laws-after-review-991707.html


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  • #1062
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    The Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World turned out not to be? Never!

    https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/pro14/breaking-sa-rugby-taking-control-of-southern-kings-20200620


  • #1063
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    The Cheetahs are a big beneficiary of the fixture changes. Two games against Kings who are terrible and whose organisation is in turmoil. 10 points guaranteed.

    Glasgow will need back-to-back wins over Edinburgh in that case which is an ask.


  • #1064
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    The Cheetahs are a big beneficiary of the fixture changes. Two games against Kings who are terrible and whose organisation is in turmoil. 10 points guaranteed.

    Glasgow will need back-to-back wins over Edinburgh in that case which is an ask.

    I wonder will Glasgow get a nudge from SRU though. Guarantee Embra a home SF .......


  • #1065
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    The Cheetahs are a big beneficiary of the fixture changes. Two games against Kings who are terrible and whose organisation is in turmoil. 10 points guaranteed.

    Glasgow will need back-to-back wins over Edinburgh in that case which is an ask.

    Cheetahs are 11 points behind Ulster, so it's irrelevant to the play offs how they do. Glasgow could catch Ulster, but as they're 9 points behind it's unlikely. Conference A is done.

    There's a slim possibility that Munster could catch Edinburgh in Conference B, but I think they'd need to win both games to do so.

    So I don't see the top two in either conference changing. Leinster v Munster and Edinburgh v Ulster will be the semis.


  • #1066
    connachta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,998 ✭✭✭connachta


    What's the point except giving rugby games to fans (which matters)?
    Give the trophee straight to Leinster would have been the same as Glasgow coach said


    None of Edinburgh nor Ulster will beat Leinster
    Munster (South-African Munster) have an outside chance, and it's not different to try this in a Semi-Final or in a Final, in the same Aviva venue


  • #1067
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    connachta wrote: »
    What's the point except giving rugby games to fans (which matters)?
    Give the trophee straight to Leinster would have been the same as Glasgow coach said


    None of Edinburgh nor Ulster will beat Leinster
    Munster (South-African Munster) have an outside chance, and it's not different to try this in a Semi-Final or in a Final, in the same Aviva venue

    TV and sponsorship money. You know that stuff that is used to pay players wages .......


  • #1068
    thomond2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Cookiemunster wrote: »
    Cheetahs are 11 points behind Ulster, so it's irrelevant to the play offs how they do. Glasgow could catch Ulster, but as they're 9 points behind it's unlikely. Conference A is done.

    There's a slim possibility that Munster could catch Edinburgh in Conference B, but I think they'd need to win both games to do so.

    So I don't see the top two in either conference changing. Leinster v Munster and Edinburgh v Ulster will be the semis.

    Ah did they scrap the quarter-final round? My mistake.


  • #1069
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Global calendar looks doomed for now anyway so pro14 20/21 to start in October.


    HC is 24 team, 8 pools of 3. I expect if the pools of 3 are seen as a successful format will it lead to an 18 team competition going forward?

    Still possible for the AIs to go ahead as scheduled with or without crowds and last season's 6n to be finished too


  • #1070
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,140 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    Global calendar looks doomed for now anyway so pro14 20/21 to start in October.


    HC is 24 team, 8 pools of 3. I expect if the pools of 3 are seen as a successful format will it lead to an 18 team competition going forward?

    Still possible for the AIs to go ahead as scheduled with or without crowds and last season's 6n to be finished too

    I very much doubt there will be any AIs with SH teams due to travel restrictions but highly possible 6N will be concluded.


  • #1071
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Digifriendly wrote: »
    I very much doubt there will be any AIs with SH teams due to travel restrictions but highly possible 6N will be concluded.

    Travel will probably be ok from Japan and Australia. They had far less cases per population than us. SA could be an issue but maybe it team and squad were tested before they left or on arrival it might work


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  • #1072
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Eod100 wrote: »
    Travel will probably be ok from Japan and Australia. They had far less cases per population than us. SA could be an issue but maybe it team and squad were tested before they left or on arrival it might work

    Qantas have announced no international flights until 2021. The Australian government don't want anyone travelling anywhere except NZ. Europe is a hotbed of Covid 19 compared to Australia.

    And if SA travel is an issue, then we'll be going back to a Pro 12.


  • #1073
    thelad95
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,812 ✭✭✭thelad95


    There will be no Autumn Internationals this year, perhaps they could use the window to finish this years Six Nations? Maybe it might be nice for the likes of Romania and Georgia to get some internationals against the Six Nations teams.


  • #1074
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    thelad95 wrote: »
    There will be no Autumn Internationals this year, perhaps they could use the window to finish this years Six Nations? Maybe it might be nice for the likes of Romania and Georgia to get some internationals against the Six Nations teams.

    The other option is the run a 6n in october/November..... the unions will need something to flog to TV stations to bring in cash. One way or another there will be AIs IMO


  • #1075
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Cookiemunster wrote: »
    Qantas have announced no international flights until 2021. The Australian government don't want anyone travelling anywhere except NZ. Europe is a hotbed of Covid 19 compared to Australia.

    And if SA travel is an issue, then we'll be going back to a Pro 12.

    I'm sure they could put on a flight for their national team if it came to it but may not be appetite to play in Europe as you say. Not sure what pro14 will look like at this stage. Guess focus is more about finishing this season's fixtures first.


  • #1076
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Eod100 wrote: »
    I'm sure they could put on a flight for their national team if it came to it but may not be appetite to play in Europe as you say. Not sure what pro14 will look like at this stage. Guess focus is more about finishing this season's fixtures first.


    The Pro14 has already gotten a start date for 2020-21. The weekend of 3rd Oct.


  • #1077
    Eod100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,434 ✭✭✭✭Eod100


    Cookiemunster wrote: »
    The Pro14 has already gotten a start date for 2020-21. The weekend of 3rd Oct.

    Presume they're going on basis that SA clubs will be able to travel in that case so


  • #1078
    salmocab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,947 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    Eod100 wrote: »
    Travel will probably be ok from Japan and Australia. They had far less cases per population than us. SA could be an issue but maybe it team and squad were tested before they left or on arrival it might work

    I would think the issue is more likely to be the levels in the NH countries they are travelling to, particularly Britain and specifically England. They won’t want 50 odd people in close contact with these countries.


  • #1079
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Cardiff have announced the signing of Rhys Carre


  • #1080
    Dog Botherer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,641 ✭✭✭Dog Botherer


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    Cardiff have announced the signing of Rhys Carre

    that’s a very good bit of business for both parties


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  • #1081
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,140 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    Beginning to look like neither NZ and Australia teams will travel to Europe in autumn. NZ and Australia are planning a 4 match series after their respective Super rugby tournaments have concluded. This would probably still leave November free but both NZ/Australia governments are taking a very tight line on travel in and out of their countries with the exception of travel between both.
    As suggested a few posts above, complete this year's 6N in autumn and arrange matches against e.g. Georgia/Romania.


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