Agree 💯. He has been called out before for not putting in big performances but I genuinely think that he gives it everything any time he plays for us and drives big performances from those around him. Wouldn't be too critical of Iaone either - I think he gives us a bit of a spark at 10 that we have been lacking - every 10 is going to make mistakes from time to time.We appear to have decent depth in most positions at the moment and we should have a great chance in the Challenge Cup with a home quarter and, if we win, a home semi. 💪
How do seedings work in the Challenge Cup for teams coming down from the Champions Cup?
Could we find ourselves against Bath or Bulls in the last 16?
I am guessing those clubs coming from the CC go into 3rd position. Otherwise it would be unfair for the number 1 spot TO play potentially a stronger team from the CC
Yes, they come down seeded 9 and down, so in the very possible event that they win away against the 8th place team we could be looking at one of those teams coming to Galway. Presuming we win our last 16 clash.
Who are connacht likely to face in next round
Cardiff look like the most likely.
That really annoys me about the current formats it's stupid that teams from the same pools who already played can meet again in the 1st knockout round.
I agree but it happened in the old format too. I think Biarritz finished as top seeds one year, played Northampton who finished second in the same group in the quarters and lost.
Fair enough it did but I feel like it happens a lot more in the new format. Maybe just recency bias
Bit of a stinker to see top of the Premiership, Bath, fall into the Challenge Cup after today. Very likely favourites to win it now if they take it any way seriously.
I can honestly see the next cup game in Castlebar. Full house potentially an extra 300 - 400k for connacht to get a top world class no10. I know I am dreaming but connacht need every penny
It does alright, Leinster played two teams from our group again last year. Having a last 16 round gives more chances for it to happen too I suppose.
Nah, you're right it happens a lot more now. Just a function of how the groups work.
It was rare enough, though had some notable events in the "old" Euro cup where teams that lost in the H2H came back and won in the QF.
Who will be at 12 next match (vs Glasgow)? No Aki, Forde. Possible POC, Hawkshaw or J.Devine…
And Wilkins should not select Oliver at all matches of Challenge cup from now because he is too risky especially knock-out competitions.
I have to say I think it's ridiculous that you lose in one competition and get into another one.
There's loads of teams that played better in the Champions cup and they aren't getting any silverware, why should the worse teams have a shot to win something else.
There's certainly an argument that fewer teams should 'qualify' for a round of 16 in the Champions Cup. Maybe pool winners qualify and runners up have home advantage against third place teams.
Teams who finish last in their Champions Cup groups should not progress to the Challenge Cup.
They don't, 5th place teams do.
Yes, my bad.
My badly worded response in support of @Eagle Eye
Paul Boyle playing some rugby this weather
Am a correct that Connacht will play Cardiff in last 16?
Yep, and possibly Perpignan in the QF
Perpignan or Racing 92 in the q/f if we beat Cardiff. Semi would see us face one of Ospreys, Scarlets, Lyon, or Saffer Sharks.
The last 16 game will be in sportsground as the munster game is the previous week. If Connacht were to wn the last 16 game and they got racing then I could see that going on the road
Connacht probably on the easier side of the draw with Bath, Bulls, Montpellier, Bayonne & Lions all on the opposite side.
Cardiff followed by Racing or Perpignan at home still a tricky path just to get to a semi-final.
From GT in the Irish Times this evening
'Connacht secured top seeding in the Challenge Cup with their 28-19 bonus-point win in Cardiff on Friday night, so earning potential home ties all the way through to the final. They will host Gloucester in the Round of 16, with the possibility of a quarter-final at home to Perpignan or Bath.
After discussions with broadcasters and teams, the organisers, EPCR, will confirm dates and kick-off times on Wednesday.'
The branch have the draw on their social media and it is as per Utopia Parkways post above. GT usually on the ball with Connacht related stuff
Would be very interesting to see where a quarter final against Racing 92 would be played if it came about. Would be entertaining if it was Castlebar again, I think some sections of the support would have a coronary if they were asked to travel outside Galway for the second time in two months. Money talks though.
The quarter finals are the week after the last 16, not a lot of time to sell a lot of tickets.
Yep, think the draw as posted on Connacht app is correct, and it's a (yet another) GT miss.
With a bit of luck they are in hard contention in the English premiership at the end of the season and could have to concentrate other places…
Real fear could be Sharks and Bulls..
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