2018-2019 Champions Cup

joseywhales · 12-09-2018 4:54pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

thomond2006 wrote: »

This is the new Heineken Champions Cup logo.

This is the Sarseholes logo.

I sense a CONSPIRACY!

Both have a red star.

Red star is a communist symbol.

Eoin Farrell plays for Saracens.

Eddie Jones is Eoin Farrell's coach.

Therefore Eddie Jones is a communist. Confirmed.

All we need to do next is remove the word "champions"

Synode · 12-09-2018 5:06pm

I'm going back to calling it the Heineken Cup. The Champions bit just confuses it with the Champions League imo

The Lost Sheep · 20-09-2018 10:47am

Synode wrote: »

I'm going back to calling it the Heineken Cup. The Champions bit just confuses it with the Champions League imo

Does it?
Champions cup if done right with multiple sponsors would have been much better but a lot of people are always going to call it heineken cup no matter what is format/sponsor

In other news the Challenge cup qualifier groups have been made
Pool A
RC Locomotive Tbilisi(Georgia)
Pataro Calvisano (Italy)
GS Fiamme Oro Rugby (Italy)
Pool B
Argos Rugby Petrarca (Italy)
Belgium Rugby Barbarians XV (Belgium)
Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo Deltra (Italy)

The Lost Sheep · 27-09-2018 3:49pm

Refs for opening rounds named
In the Challenge Cup, Mike Adamson is in charge for Connacht against Bordeaux Begles and Ben Whitehouse refs the trip to Sale in the second round
Romain Poite refs Leinster against Wasps with Wayne Barnes in for the Toulouse game
Munster have Jerome Garces for Exeter and Alexander Ruiz for Gloucester
Pascal Gauzere refs Ulster against Leicester and Nigel Owens is in for the game in Paris against Racing

icdg · 01-10-2018 10:37am

Marseille to host the 2020 Heineken Cup final:

https://www.epcrugby.com/2018/10/01/marseille-wins-bid-to-host-2020-european-club-finals/

pickarooney · 01-10-2018 2:03pm

icdg wrote: »

Marseille to host the 2020 Heineken Cup final:

https://www.epcrugby.com/2018/10/01/marseille-wins-bid-to-host-2020-european-club-finals/

Woohoo!

errlloyd · 01-10-2018 2:04pm

pickarooney wrote: »

Woohoo!

Marsellie has hosted before or am I wrong?

pickarooney · 01-10-2018 2:05pm

errlloyd wrote: »

Marsellie has hosted before or am I wrong?

No, just a couple of semis where Toulon were the home team.

Lyon and Paris have had finals. Maybe Bordeaux also.

Synode · 01-10-2018 9:14pm

pickarooney wrote: »

No, just a couple of semis where Toulon were the home team.

Lyon and Paris have had finals. Maybe Bordeaux also.

From the article

1998 Bath Rugby 19 Brive 18 – Stade Lescure, Bordeaux

icdg · 04-10-2018 12:42pm

Some details of Channel 4’s coverage - Nigel Owens joining. Also a pre game show called “The Big Tackle”.

https://www.epcrugby.com/2018/10/04/bath-v-toulouse-launches-heineken-champions-cup-on-channel-4/

09-10-2018 10:24am

First 4 weeks for the Irish provinces below, along with my own predictions.

Ulster
R1. Ulster v Leicester (W)
R2. Racing v Ulster (L)
R3. Scarlets v Ulster (L)
R4. Ulster v Scarlets (L)

Munster
R.1 Exeter v Munster (L)
R.2 Munster v Gloucester (W)
R3. Munster v Castres (W)
R4. Castres v Munster (W)

Leinster
R.1 Leinster v Wasps (W)
R2. Toulouse v Leinster (W)
R.3 Bath v Leinster (W)
R.4 Leinster v Bath (W)

Of the results above the ones I'm less confident in are Munster away to Castres, Leinster away to Toulouse and Ulster home to Scarlets. All three could go the other way but on the balance of probabilities I'd go with the above.

Leicester are in disarray and I can't see them applying themselves to the competition. They still can put out a quality 23 so it's not going to be an easy ride for Ulster but I think the home team will have more to offer over 80 minutes. I don't think Ulster will pick up another win within the first four rounds as I think the two away games to Racing and Scarlets will go the other way and Ulster will be effectively out of the running. It's a tough enough pool and with a relatively young inexperienced side Ulster will be focusing on the pro14 by round 4 so Scarlets may pick up the away win. If Ulster are still in with a sniff or if they get a bad beating the previous week it might be a different game.

I'm fairly confident Exeter will win at the weekend, I just hope it's a narrow win as a heavy defeat would be damaging for the Munster project this early in the season. I think if Munster can keep it to a 1 score game they've a decent chance of turning that result around at home and a top spot in the pool will still be on the cards. Castres home form will be a deciding factor on the pool and if they target Europe this year all bets are off. It's a punishing pool to be honest, probably only 1 team makes it out.

Leinster should turn Wasps over on Friday. Wasps who just took a beating at home from Gloucester have injury worries across the board and although a few front liners are set to return you would wonder where the type of continuity and fluency in attack will come from to get around Leinster's defence. If Leinster can pick up a win away to Toulouse in round 2 then they'll be comfortably in the driving seat going into the double header against a poor Bath side.

tldr: By round 4 I expect the points to look like:

Leinster 19
Munster 13
Ulster 5

Digifriendly · 09-10-2018 1:43pm

Excellent summary. Hard to disagree with your predictions. Exeter/Munster/Gloucester/ Castres group looks like the tightest to me. Bonus points could well be crucial as all 4 teams are capable of qualifying. Exeter on current form are the slight favourites while other 3 teams will be hard to beat at home although Gloucester have lost there already in Premiership.

Former Former · 09-10-2018 2:12pm

Odds with Paddy Power before we kick off:

Leinster 15/8
Saracens 3/1
Exeter 15/2
Montpellier 8/1
Munster, Racing 12/1
Toulon 16/1
....
Ulster 150/1

I think Saracens are the best placed to win it but it's quite open. 15/8 for Leinster are ridiculous odds.

troyzer · 09-10-2018 2:45pm

Former Former wrote: »

Odds with Paddy Power before we kick off:

Leinster 15/8
Saracens 3/1
Exeter 15/2
Montpellier 8/1
Munster, Racing 12/1
Toulon 16/1
....
Ulster 150/1

I think Saracens are the best placed to win it but it's quite open. 15/8 for Leinster are ridiculous odds.

Why? Leinster have the strongest squad in Europe and given the group they're in, are likely to get home advantage throughout.

Buer · 09-10-2018 3:06pm

troyzer wrote: »

Why? Leinster have the strongest squad in Europe and given the group they're in, are likely to get home advantage throughout.

There's very little between Leinster and Saracens. With Billy V back, they're a better team too. Saracens without him is like Leinster without Sexton.

Their pool is also a complete doddle. They should really be aiming for six wins and top seed. I wouldn't say there's anything between Leinster and Saracens in a neutral venue if both have full teams.

09-10-2018 3:08pm

troyzer wrote: »

Why? Leinster have the strongest squad in Europe and given the group they're in, are likely to get home advantage throughout.

On top of which they beat the previous winners of every major European competition on the way to the title last season (including the previous winners) and then went and beat two of the semi finalists on the way to the pro14 title.

You can't deliver a perfect season like that against so many quality teams without having machine like consistency and that's what Leo and Stuart have managed to deliver with this group of players.

It's going to be very hard to stop Leinster, but the great thing about rugby is that on a given day there are plenty of teams that can do it.

Burkie1203 · 09-10-2018 4:30pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

On top of which they beat the previous winners of every major European competition on the way to the title last season (including the previous winners) and then went and beat two of the semi finalists on the way to the pro14 title.

You can't deliver a perfect season like that against so many quality teams without having machine like consistency and that's what Leo and Stuart have managed to deliver with this group of players.

It's going to be very hard to stop Leinster, but the great thing about rugby is that on a given day there are plenty of teams that can do it.

More importantly, have you checked in on Joey in the high performance showers in Munster to see if he is remembering his lines.....

Boscoirl · 10-10-2018 11:01am

First time in years that I have had all the games at home on TV. That’s my weekend sorted

Dilemma of the weekend watch Ulster V Leicester or Scarlets v Racing.

sydthebeat · 10-10-2018 11:07am

Boscoirl wrote: »

First time in years that I have had all the games at home on TV. That’s my weekend sorted

Dilemma of the weekend watch Ulster V Leicester or Scarlets v Racing.

no question which game will be the better quality .....

thomond2006 · 10-10-2018 2:02pm

Toulon at 16/1 is based on reputation. They are tied with Agen at second bottom in the Top14. While there are still some foreign stars there (Webb, Fekitoa and Savea come to mind), they are in a rebuilding phase with a lot of young/French players. I can't see them threatening this season.

Tigerandahalf · 10-10-2018 2:44pm

Scarlets Racing should be a cracker. Scarlets have struggled a bit this year and their backrow is weaker with departures and injuries. Racing might run them close.

Great to have all the games on one platform. I presume BT will still show games broadcasted by c4.

Cookiemunster · 10-10-2018 2:47pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Scarlets Racing should be a cracker. Scarlets have struggled a bit this year and their backrow is weaker with departures and injuries. Racing might run them close.

Great to have all the games on one platform. I presume BT will still show games broadcasted by c4.

Yeah all games are on BT, including the game that C4 and Virgin have.

thomond2006 · 10-10-2018 2:53pm

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Yeah all games are on BT, including the game that C4 and Virgin have.

Fantastic, since I have Eir Sports via the broadband and Virgin is not in HD on Saorview.

Heymans · 11-10-2018 10:00am

Glasgow Saracens should be a cracker on Sunday.

I have to say I do think Sarries will go on a run this year and will be in contention.

sydthebeat · 11-10-2018 10:02am

i havent seen any superbru predictor for boards.ie

is there one?

11-10-2018 10:13am

Was thinking about a fantasy pool alright - happy to take part if anyone wants to set up a thread.

sydthebeat · 11-10-2018 10:35am

alright, i created a predictor game on superbru:

Join boards.ie, my European Rugby Champions Cup league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/erchampionscup/pool.php?p=11946090

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

jiltlure

ive invited as many as i could through my usual super rugby pools, but there are loads that do the pro14 one that i dont have access too...
so anyone who has created pools invite away !
and of course always welcome to new players

errlloyd · 11-10-2018 10:38am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Was thinking about a fantasy pool alright - happy to take part if anyone wants to set up a thread.

I set up an official fantasy team. The prizes are great and hardly anyone plays it.

The Lost Sheep · 11-10-2018 11:41am

sydthebeat wrote: »

alright, i created a predictor game on superbru:

Join boards.ie, my European Rugby Champions Cup league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/erchampionscup/pool.php?p=11946090

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

jiltlure

ive invited as many as i could through my usual super rugby pools, but there are loads that do the pro14 one that i dont have access too...
so anyone who has created pools invite away !
and of course always welcome to new players

There is a boards.ie club/group on superbru and a pool through that club as well with invites sent to all 70+ in club already.
pugstuba is code

sydthebeat · 11-10-2018 12:05pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

There is a boards.ie club/group on superbru and a pool through that club as well with invites sent to all 70+ in club already.
pugstuba is code

There was no pool when i searched for "boards" earlier today so i set one up...

i see theres 2 now, another set up this morning as well

Buer · 11-10-2018 12:50pm

Lewis Ludlow cops a 4 week ban for stamping so will miss Gloucester's trip to Thomond.

I'll need to brush up on the letter of the law to see how on earth he managed to get away with only 4 weeks. He made DRM's stamp on VDF look like a tickle. Nasty stamp and should be looking at 8-10 weeks.

https://twitter.com/Smallclone/status/1050338418708885507

Squidgy Black · 11-10-2018 12:55pm

Buer wrote: »

Lewis Ludlow cops a 4 week ban for stamping so will miss Gloucester's trip to Thomond.

I'll need to brush up on the letter of the law to see how on earth he managed to get away with only 4 weeks. He made DRM's stamp on VDF look like a tickle. Nasty stamp and should be looking at 8-10 weeks.

Am I the only person who thinks the whole deal of getting sentences reduced because of "previous records" should be excluded for incidents like this?

Ludlow didn't accept the charge, and also didn't have a clean record (granted it was 4 years since his last citing) but still had it reduced by two weeks.

Neil3030 · 11-10-2018 12:57pm

Buer wrote: »

Lewis Ludlow cops a 4 week ban for stamping so will miss Gloucester's trip to Thomond.

I'll need to brush up on the letter of the law to see how on earth he managed to get away with only 4 weeks. He made DRM's stamp on VDF look like a tickle. Nasty stamp and should be looking at 8-10 weeks.

https://twitter.com/Smallclone/status/1050338418708885507

Looking at that GIF you could say he was clearing out the player, trying to drive from the legs, and was careless with his foot placement, rather than an intentional stamp.

stephen_n · 11-10-2018 1:18pm

Neil3030 wrote: »

Looking at that GIF you could say he was clearing out the player, trying to drive from the legs, and was careless with his foot placement, rather than an intentional stamp.

Yeah it didn’t look to me like he was attempting to hit him, just got him by accident. Very different to the one on VDF IMO.

Eod100 · 11-10-2018 1:39pm

Neil3030 wrote: »

Looking at that GIF you could say he was clearing out the player, trying to drive from the legs, and was careless with his foot placement, rather than an intentional stamp.

Do rules differentiate between intent and reckless say? Or does it come in in terms of mitigation?

Buer · 11-10-2018 2:16pm

Neil3030 wrote: »

Looking at that GIF you could say he was clearing out the player, trying to drive from the legs, and was careless with his foot placement, rather than an intentional stamp.

I can only imagine that was the interpretation of it although I'm not convinced. His movement appears somewhat more aggressive than looking to get a foot placement, to my eyes. He was acting the maggot throughout. Ludlow was the guy who pinned Hughes on the ground too, resulting in the punch later on.

I think he's fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt and allowed any mitigation, to be honest. It was reckless in the extreme.

Podge_irl · 11-10-2018 3:21pm

DRM's stamp looked a lot worse to me, especially in its brazenness and clear intent

irishbucsfan · 11-10-2018 6:13pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Do rules differentiate between intent and reckless say? Or does it come in in terms of mitigation?

Yes, intent is considered when determining the level of sanction.

prawnsambo · 11-10-2018 6:18pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yes, intent is considered when determining the level of sanction.

Is intent considered in the laws? I was sure it only appeared in disciplinary hearings.

irishbucsfan · 11-10-2018 6:19pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

Is intent considered in the laws? I was sure it only appeared in disciplinary hearings.

The guidelines that govern hearings, yes.

Burkie1203 · 11-10-2018 10:38pm

Which games are FTA this weekend.?

Tigerandahalf · 11-10-2018 10:46pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Which games are FTA this weekend.?

Bath v Toulouse is on c4 at 1pm saturday. Jamie Heaslip is co commentating. Virgin are showing it too on fta.

C4 have a preview show with highlights of Leinster Wasps on Saturday morning at 10.30 - 11.30.

TV3′s Champions Cup fixtures:
13 October: Bath v Toulouse
20 October: Munster v Gloucester
8 December: Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester
15 December: Cardiff Blues v Saracens
12 January: Leinster v Toulouse
19 January: TBC – Munster v Exeter Chiefs/Castres v Gloucester/Saracens v Glasgow Warriors
30 March: Quarter-final
20 April: Semi-final
11 May: Final

https://www.epcrugby.com/2018/10/11/where-can-i-watch-the-heineken-champions-cup/

Burkie1203 · 11-10-2018 10:53pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Bath v Toulouse is on c4 at 1pm saturday. Jamie Heaslip is co commentating. Virgin are showing it too on fta.

C4 have a preview show with highlights of Leinster Wasps on Saturday morning at 10.30 - 11.30.

TV3′s Champions Cup fixtures:
13 October: Bath v Toulouse
20 October: Munster v Gloucester
8 December: Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester
15 December: Cardiff Blues v Saracens
12 January: Leinster v Toulouse
19 January: TBC – Munster v Exeter Chiefs/Castres v Gloucester/Saracens v Glasgow Warriors
30 March: Quarter-final
20 April: Semi-final
11 May: Final

Thanks for this

icdg · 11-10-2018 10:55pm

Virgin One and C4 will be showing exactly the same games. So if you’re a fan of Tolouse or Gloucester, they’ve quite a treat for you! Less if you’re an Ulster fan, with no FTA game.

Neil3030 · 11-10-2018 11:40pm

Buer wrote: »

I can only imagine that was the interpretation of it although I'm not convinced. His movement appears somewhat more aggressive than looking to get a foot placement, to my eyes. He was acting the maggot throughout. Ludlow was the guy who pinned Hughes on the ground too, resulting in the punch later on.

I think he's fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt and allowed any mitigation, to be honest. It was reckless in the extreme.

He was a aggressive, but at no point (in that GIF, must be stated, this is all I'm going on) do I get the sense he made a specific attempt to stamp on the guy below him, who was arguably on his side of the ruck anyway.

Side note, but I really hate the latest trend of players either flopping onto the wrong side, or not rolling away. Back in the day they'd be rucked into the earth's core, but today refs only seem to ping it if it interferes with the the 9 getting the ball away. IMO, it has far greater consequences, e.g. here, where a guy is trying to get a good drive on his clearout and ends up missing a month of play. Duty of care is equally the responsibility of both sides, and all of that.

irishbucsfan · 12-10-2018 2:23am

Neil3030 wrote: »

He was a aggressive, but at no point (in that GIF, must be stated, this is all I'm going on) do I get the sense he made a specific attempt to stamp on the guy below him, who was arguably on his side of the ruck anyway.

Side note, but I really hate the latest trend of players either flopping onto the wrong side, or not rolling away. Back in the day they'd be rucked into the earth's core, but today refs only seem to ping it if it interferes with the the 9 getting the ball away. IMO, it has far greater consequences, e.g. here, where a guy is trying to get a good drive on his clearout and ends up missing a month of play. Duty of care is equally the responsibility of both sides, and all of that.

In this case the guy had an opposition player lying on top of him until a split second before an opponent stamped on him. Not sure how on earth he was supposed to roll away.

Players on the wrong side have always been a part of the game, it's actually policed far better these days than it was when raking was more common imo.

Buer · 12-10-2018 10:19am

Nice piece with Steenson in the Indo this morning. Exeter very much fired up for the Champions Cup and feel they let themselves down at home to Leinster last season. The job they've done there is remarkable given the money they've spent and the relative lack of international recognition.

Aside, Steenson says Exeter is 100% his home and will be staying there after retirement with the aim of taking up a coaching role with the Chiefs. He's also about to open a new sports bar in the town. Won't be open for this weekend, unfortunately, but I can see it becoming a De Danu type location for any visiting Irish sides!

legohouse · 12-10-2018 12:02pm

Is there a boards league already set up here?

https://fantasy.epcrugby.com

Ludikrus · 12-10-2018 12:13pm

Is there no highlights of the Leinster/Munster matches on TV?

troyzer · 12-10-2018 12:20pm

Ludikrus wrote: »

Is there no highlights of the Leinster/Munster matches on TV?

2018-2019 Champions Cup

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