Champions Cup 2020/2021 General Thread

molloyjh · 12-12-2020 10:50pm

Toolis was far too quick to go to ground there. Get some good front foot ffs. Really poor game overall no matter how BT are trying to sell it.

Buer · 12-12-2020 10:51pm

I don't think the referee should have coached LR there. Explained to them what they needed to do i. e. tap before kicking if they wanted to end the game or kick direct to touch if they wanted to continue.

The players should know the rules. If they mess up then it's their own fault.

thomond2006 · 12-12-2020 10:53pm

Four French teams were away from home and they all won. Strange times!

Akrasia · 12-12-2020 10:53pm

Buer wrote: »

That was fantastic. "We'll leave you there, Ronan".

This game is brutal now. One of, if not the worst of the weekend. A more competent side would be playing for a BP win against Edinburgh.

La Rochelle are the current leaders of the top 14
you can't say they're incompetent

It did descend into a bit of an anarchic mess after a promising opening, La Rochelle would have been out of sight if they didn't miss so many open goals

You can't accuse either team of not trying hard enough, there was very little left behind on the pitch.

The french have dominated the opening weekend. I can't see Connacht or Glasgow winning tomorrow either.

Digifriendly · 12-12-2020 10:59pm

Akrasia wrote: »

La Rochelle are the current leaders of the top 14
you can't say they're incompetent

It did descend into a bit of an anarchic mess after a promising opening, La Rochelle would have been out of sight if they didn't miss so many open goals

You can't accuse either team of not trying hard enough, there was very little left behind on the pitch.

The french have dominated the opening weekend. I can't see Connacht or Glasgow winning tomorrow either.

Glasgow aren't playing a French side.

Eod100 · 12-12-2020 11:00pm

Hoping Connacht keep up the winning away pattern and Quins don't!

molloyjh · 12-12-2020 11:00pm

Akrasia wrote: »

La Rochelle are the current leaders of the top 14
you can't say they're incompetent

It did descend into a bit of an anarchic mess after a promising opening, La Rochelle would have been out of sight if they didn't miss so many open goals

You can't accuse either team of not trying hard enough, there was very little left behind on the pitch.

The french have dominated the opening weekend. I can't see Connacht or Glasgow winning tomorrow either.

He wasn't talking about effort. By competent he means that they actually convert their clear dominance. They were great at getting themselves into good positions and even better at shooting themselves in the foot. That display wouldn't be enough to worry any of the big sides in this competition. There was a TBP there for the taking and they left it behind. Not only that, but they also put themselves into a position where they could have actually lost it by giving Edinburgh that 5m line out.

Buer · 12-12-2020 11:15pm

Exactly. If it wasn't for a shocking attempt to field a kick, Edinburgh would have won. La Rochelle are a fine team at home but there isn't a pro side in Europe that would be worried by that display.

molloyjh · 12-12-2020 11:18pm

I liked both coaches interviews. ROG was very honest and Cockerill talked about not throwing in the towel. Both have the right kind of attitude. You don't build winning cultures by accepting losses in advance or being happy with sub-par performances.

Thrashssacre · 13-12-2020 12:47am

Pro 14 : 5-1-2
Top 14: 6-1-5
Premiership: 2-0-5

Win/draw/loss breakdown by league, im pleasantly suprised by the pro 14 really holding our own so far despite how poor the league was looking with the internationals missing.

Im counting champions and challange Cup here.

Leinstertomas · 13-12-2020 1:21am

Everyone in Pool A has played now and predictably you are able to predict quite a lot from here on with a lot of teams who have lost likely not going to bother from here. Can't say anyone other than Leinster overly impressed, but this pool does look weaker.

Leinster are bound to win remaining games and most likely top pool with 20 points.

La Rochelle play Bath (who lost at home to Scarlets) twice then Edinburgh at home, who will also likely be out, so most likely get 4 wins.

Bordeaux have Dragons twice and Northampton reserves, so 4 wins for them.

Wasps have Montpellier twice who probably won't fancy their chances of winning both games then winning in Dublin, so 4 wins for them also.
That's 4 teams very likely to finish with 4 wins

Toulon and Scarlets can also finish on 4 wins. It's hard to see Scarlets winning away in France but they could overturn them next Friday which would effectively knock Toulon out. Toulon win both and it's 5 teams on 4 wins and it comes down to BP's and so on.

Unfortunately not many big encounters in this pool apart from Scarlets V Toulon. Qualification will probably go down to last round but from now on it will mostly be about thrashing rotated teams and maximising BP/PD.

At least Pool B looks stronger and will have some big teams colliding.

razorblunt · 13-12-2020 2:19pm

Gloucester are woeful. Lyon could rattle up a score easily. It’s a question of how much they want, really.

bilston · 13-12-2020 2:23pm

I turned this match on 5 minutes ago and have seen 3 tries in that time!

bilston · 13-12-2020 2:26pm

Some of the hands from Lyon are sensational...

4 tries in less than 10 mins

razorblunt · 13-12-2020 2:28pm

Lyon aren’t even building pressure on the Gloucester line, every strike play is coming off for them once they get into the Gloucester half.

Though they scored a nice try themselves to be fair.

realhorrorshow · 13-12-2020 2:43pm

What’s the story here have Gloucester sent the kids?

Dog Botherer · 13-12-2020 3:11pm

realhorrorshow wrote: »

What’s the story here have Gloucester sent the kids?

and a few of the kids’ unathletic cousins.

Akrasia · 13-12-2020 3:15pm

Some of these tries are like what you see in Rugby 7s

UAEguy2020 · 13-12-2020 3:17pm

Lyon are doing bad things to Gloucester.

Akrasia · 13-12-2020 3:46pm

They've released the highlights of the Lyon Gloucester match early

thomond2006 · 13-12-2020 3:49pm

What is the point of putting out a joke lineup in the first bloody game?!

Akrasia · 13-12-2020 3:50pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

What is the point of putting out a joke lineup in the first bloody game?!

Because they probably would have been sanctioned for not turning up at all

razorblunt · 13-12-2020 4:24pm

Exeter #1 has had two chop tackles in 20 seconds there, neither called.

Glasgow 6 is being called “young McDonald”, presumably ironic as he’s got a hell of a Friar Tuck patch. He was killed by Ewers there anyway, what a scary scary man.

MaddChris · 13-12-2020 5:33pm

Glasgow are a pity
28 - NIL now

Eod100 · 13-12-2020 5:53pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

What is the point of putting out a joke lineup in the first bloody game?!

You'd wonder alright for the very first game. Maybe teams concentrating on league ahead of CC with injuries and absences due to covid. But would think for the first game they'd make an effort.

Clegg · 13-12-2020 5:58pm

Exeter are the best team in Europe, but that shouldn't be used as an excuse for Glasgow. Losing 35-0 is pathetic.

Eod100 · 13-12-2020 6:01pm

Connacht putting it up to Racing last few mins, time against them now though

Burkie1203 · 13-12-2020 6:04pm

Eod100 wrote: »

Connacht putting it up to Racing last few mins, time against them now though

Racing have been so wasteful. Butchered a good few chances.

Lineout from both teams a shambles

sydthebeat · 16-12-2020 3:40pm

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/two-champions-cup-fixtures-cancelled/633616

The Champions Cup tie between Toulouse and Exeter at the Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday, December 20, has been cancelled.

The news was confirmed on Monday with the following statement:

EPCR has been informed that a number of Exeter Chiefs players and staff have tested positive for COVID-19, and that in accordance with public health guidelines, the club will not be able to send a match-day squad to fulfil its Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 fixture against Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday, December 20.

The Pool B match is therefore cancelled.

As Exeter Chiefs played against Glasgow Warriors in Round 1 of the tournament, Glasgow Warriors have advised EPCR that many of its senior players are now self-isolating in accordance with guidelines from Public Health Scotland, and consequently, the club is not in a position to field a match day squad of the appropriate standard for its Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 fixture against Lyon at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, December 19.

The Pool B match between Glasgow Warriors and Lyon is therefore also cancelled.

As per its COVID-19 protocol, EPCR will convene Match Result Resolution Committees to determine the results of the cancelled matches and the decisions of the committees will be communicated as soon as practicable.

ongarite · 16-12-2020 3:41pm

Disaster.
I can see professional sports being suspended again soon across Europe.

Cookiemunster · 16-12-2020 4:02pm

ongarite wrote: »

Disaster.
I can see professional sports being suspended again soon across Europe.

They won't be. The German Health Minister for example was asked why they weren't cancelling the Bundesliga during the new lockdown. His answer was that it's not taking testing capacity from the general public and the numbers involved are relatively small.

At the end of the day, nobody has locked everything down to the same extent as last March/April as we now know much more about the virus and how to mitigate against it and professional sport has pretty good pretty good protocols in place to deal with outbreaks.

We're going to continue to get individual match cancellations, but that was expected and rules have been specifically written to deal with these cancellations.

Dog Botherer · 16-12-2020 4:03pm

oh no who could possibly have seen this coming

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/sep/28/exeter-rob-baxter-end-coronavirus-tests-rugby-players

thomond2006 · 16-12-2020 4:34pm

Jack Nowell's hot take on Twitter aged well.

Burkie1203 · 16-12-2020 4:43pm

If the game is cancelled have they determined if it's 0-0 ?

Cookiemunster · 16-12-2020 4:51pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

If the game is cancelled have they determined if it's 0-0 ?

From Syds post.

As per its COVID-19 protocol, EPCR will convene Match Result Resolution Committees to determine the results of the cancelled matches and the decisions of the committees will be communicated as soon as practicable.

Buer · 16-12-2020 5:08pm

I would imagine it would be similar to how the Nations Cup approached it i.e. the team which had to withdraw suffers a 28-0 defeat etc. A 0-0 scoreline would be completely unfair to Toulouse who would have fancied their chances of winning. Given they go away to Exeter also, a 0-0 score could potentially eliminate them ultimately.

A 28-0 scoreline would be a disaster for the rest of the pool though. Toulouse would be in a great position as it would likely give them 3 BP wins (assuming they get one at home to an eliminated Ulster).

I imagine that the EPC would be eager to play the game at some point as soon as possible but there's no available window unless they played a midweek game. Exeter have games every weekend up until the end of March already scheduled.

crisco10 · 16-12-2020 5:12pm

Buer wrote: »

I would imagine it would be similar to how the Nations Cup approached it i.e. the team which had to withdraw suffers a 28-0 defeat etc. A 0-0 scoreline would be completely unfair to Toulouse who would have fancied their chances of winning. Given they go away to Exeter also, a 0-0 score could potentially eliminate them ultimately.

A 28-0 scoreline would be a disaster for the rest of the pool though. Toulouse would be in a great position as it would likely give them 3 BP wins (assuming they get one at home to an eliminated Ulster).

I imagine that the EPC would be eager to play the game at some point as soon as possible but there's no available window unless they played a midweek game. Exeter have games every weekend up until the end of March already scheduled.

If they do that, it's even harsher on Glasgow. Despite (potentially) having zero cases in their squad, they concede a BP defeat at home.

Would all just contribute to the asterisk that is developing beside this season

Cookiemunster · 16-12-2020 5:14pm

crisco10 wrote: »

If they do that, it's even harsher on Glasgow. Despite (potentially) having zero cases in their squad, they concede a BP defeat at home.

Would all just contribute to the asterisk that is developing beside this season

The thing is that while unfair, Glasgow are as good as out already after the hammering they took in Exeter. Advantage to Lyon though if it happens.

Buer · 16-12-2020 5:15pm

crisco10 wrote: »

If they do that, it's even harsher on Glasgow. Despite (potentially) having zero cases in their squad, they concede a BP defeat at home.

Would all just contribute to the asterisk that is developing beside this season

I don't think they'd take the same approach to Glasgow. It's no fault of theirs. They just happened to share a pitch with Exeter. A 0-0 result could come into play there. I don't think matches will be rescheduled now, looking at things. The fixture list is just too condensed already.

I'd imagine Glasgow and Lyon would both shrug and accept a 0-0 result ultimately.

aloooof · 16-12-2020 6:04pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jack Nowell's hot take on Twitter aged well.

I remember at the time, one of the Eggchasers lads came out with this take in the replies which is, eh, something...

https://twitter.com/Jbeardmore/status/1308848476374138880

Dog Botherer · 16-12-2020 6:11pm

that JB guy has had a few massive stinkers lately. his response to the Chiefs racism issue was similarly crap.

RugbyLover123 · 16-12-2020 7:19pm

Dog Botherer wrote: »

that JB guy has had a few massive stinkers lately. his response to the Chiefs racism issue was similarly crap.

Loves the sound of his own voice so he does. That podcast is essentially 80% him ranting about something, the other 2 lads who are actually very good can’t get a word in. Pretty much every podcast he spends about 5 minutes ‘being sure’ on something only to be completely wrong.

Dog Botherer · 16-12-2020 7:24pm

RugbyLover123 wrote: »

Loves the sound of his own voice so he does. That podcast is essentially 80% him ranting about something, the other 2 lads who are actually very good can’t get a word in. Pretty much every podcast he spends about 5 minutes ‘being sure’ on something only to be completely wrong.

i only listen to that podcast when England have lost humiliatingly. intolerable otherwise.

i have noticed with some amusement that he is yet to comment on the Exeter situation, preferring instead to talk transfers all morning on Twitter.

lawrencesummers · 16-12-2020 9:27pm

Plenty of time to rearrange the fixtures, if very little time to get the buy in of the other respective stakeholders in their respective leagues and move a current fixture.

First two weekends in January are for league games, they could rearrange a few games there

Burkie1203 · 16-12-2020 9:59pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Plenty of time to rearrange the fixtures, if very little time to get the buy in of the other respective stakeholders in their respective leagues and move a current fixture.

First two weekends in January are for league games, they could rearrange a few games there

And where do you move the league games to?

thomond2006 · 16-12-2020 10:06pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Plenty of time to rearrange the fixtures, if very little time to get the buy in of the other respective stakeholders in their respective leagues and move a current fixture.

First two weekends in January are for league games, they could rearrange a few games there

Good luck telling the French to move Top 14 games.

Buer · 16-12-2020 10:07pm

Lyon already have a rescheduled game on a Wednesday in early January.

The GP have games on every single weekend aside from the weekends already scheduled for EPC games.

If these games are to go ahead, the teams involved are going to have to agree to midweek games potentially on the Wednesday between rounds 3 and 4. I don't see the teams going for that.

sydthebeat · 16-12-2020 10:37pm

ROG was of the opinion on OTB that Glasgow will have to give up a 28-0 result as well, as they technically have to forfeit due to Scottish gov rules

lawrencesummers · 16-12-2020 10:54pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

And where do you move the league games to?

Could be a few free weekends during the six nations, plenty of time to reschedule the fixtures, it’s the will to do so by the people involved that will be lacking not the way to do so.

thomond2006 · 16-12-2020 11:15pm

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Could be a few free weekends during the six nations, plenty of time to reschedule the fixtures, it’s the will to do so by the people involved that will be lacking not the way to do so.

https://www.lnr.fr/sites/default/files/calendrier_top_14_2020-2021.pdf

There aren't many weeks available.

Champions Cup 2020/2021 General Thread

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