Guinness Pro12 Season 2020-2021

Blut2 wrote: »

I'd wager going forward if we keep a format where 6 teams qualify for the playoffs it'll end up mostly being 2 Irish, 2 SA, 1 Welsh, 1 Scottish most years. Based on the last few years of performance anyway. So probably not good news for Connacht, unless they can reliably overtake Munster/Ulster.

With obvious European Cup implications if/when the Saffers get approved to play in it, too. I can't see them being kept out for too long - them taking part would add a huge number of viewers for the competition, and all the resultant increased broadcast/sponsor revenue. The financially struggling English teams won't be able to resist that.

The financially struggling English teams would be like Connacht, not involved if they don't oppose

Treviso, I tell you now, Treviso must target ChallengeC win , they just have to back them with confidence

thomond2006 wrote: »

I can't wait for the SA teams to make Connacht look like a pub team.

A team just like Munster will be without its high-money Saffer RG?


OK that was a dirty knock...:p

Well, I hope we all enjoyed the opening weekend. NPHET have recommended level 5 for the entire country this evening.

If implemented, all sports cease including professional sports.

Cookiemunster wrote: »

NPHET have no interest in the economy or the survival of sporting organisations. They see it purely for the most conservative medical POV. I honestly can't see the government agreeing to level 5.

And as other have already said, the horse has bolted when it comes to widespread obedience of the regulations.

Exactly. They don't have to take any other elements into account. Their advice is purely on how best to curtail the spread.

The country cannot take another lockdown. Measures need to be implemented to protect and isolate the most vulnerable. Additional measures required for the majority of the population. But the whole 5km restriction? Not a hope they can get the population on board.

I don't think the Pro14/Ireland games are going to be cancelled either. There are 4 teams in the country. If they've a testing regime in place and are being vigilant, there's no reason they should have any games postponed unless there are positive cases within those goups.

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Level 5 states all sports stop. No training in groups.

It's the nuclear option. Govt wont follow it. This is NPHET getting level 4 and some other add on bits. Elite sport won't stop

GAA seem to have trouble counting beyond 10 though. Seen some pics on social media of club matches with 1000+ in attendance. Dumb stuff

I saw some pics too but when checked it out they were in Northern Ireland. I don’t think any games in Ireland have exceeded 200 limit, certainly not by that amount anyway. Did see some games where social distancing amongst the 200 was poor though.

I don’t think level five will happen tomorrow but restriction fatigue has set in, reality is I would say a majority of people in the country have not followed guidance to the tee and then some just disregard it altogether. There isn’t really a straightforward answer other than trying to get people to take individual responsibility but that hasn’t worked for a while now.

Burkie1203 wrote: »

There was also a large crowd at a football game in cork city one evening last week

This from the same sport that publicly called out the CMO mid summer and demanded a meeting

If govt are to take action, ban GAA training and games from taking place for 2 months. This is the sort of thing that has NPHET seeking level 5

Govt need to stop punishing everyone for the actions of a few. And start dealing with those who are breaching guidelines

Absolutely crazy that happened but it isn’t a match, the GAA authorities have no control over that, it’s people being dumb. And there was an awful lot of county cups won over the last few weeks, vast majority of which had no celebrations/driving parade etc

https://twitter.com/PRO14Official/status/1314205540285726720

Our Welsh friends have taken this news very badly

Squidgy Black wrote: »

You can see the hit at the one minute mark here https://youtu.be/4I2yjtROwd4

Pretty clear and obvious to be honest.

Obvious to me too.

I just think this on the back of POM getting off scot free has riled people up

they’re still at it.

can’t tell if i genuinely like the pro69 as a competition or if i just like it because i’m a Leinster supporter and it’s just a free annual the academy lads get for doing well in their training matches trophy

molloyjh wrote: »

Must be an absolute humdinger in Italy. Benetton 3-0 Scarlets.

It’s an arm wrestle so far. It’s actually a lot more entertaining than it sounds.