2015-16 Champions Cup thread

Cookiemunster · 18-11-2015 2:07pm

Leinster

joe_99 wrote: »

To avoid fixture congestion for Munster and Stade it might have been a better idea to switch the home and away legs thereby moving the weekend game to Thomond and then play the second game in France in a few weeks

It's an option, but it's not going to happen. Munster would expect over 20K at this game in January. There's no way the could shift that many tickets in 4 days.

Cookiemunster · 18-11-2015 2:10pm

Leinster

Statement from EPCR on the rescheduling of games

In the wake of last week's tragic events in the French capital, the decision has been taken to postpone the European Rugby Champions Cup, Round 2 match between Stade Francais Paris and Munster Rugby which was scheduled to be played at Stade Jean Bouin on Sunday.
EPCR is continuing to work with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), Premiership Rugby and the PRO12, as well as the relevant clubs, to consider all possible fixture permutations with the aim of coming up with a workable solution as to how the Stade Francais Paris v Munster Rugby match, in addition to the five games from Round 1 of the tournaments, can be rescheduled in an already crowded rugby calendar.

EPCR, the three leagues and the clubs are in agreement that all postponed fixtures - including the RC Toulon v Bath Rugby Round 1 match - will be played, and an announcement regarding the new dates will be made as soon as possible.

Bit of a dig at Bruce Craig in there I see.

errlloyd · 20-11-2015 12:09am

Ospreys

How many tries has Tim Visser scored already for Quins? Got one again tonight. Looks like he needed a change of scenery and he's recaptured that form as the absolutely lethal finisher he was not all that long ago.

EDIT: apparently only two in four games. Fairly standard for a winger.

I'll shut the hell up.

icdg · 20-11-2015 12:48pm

http://m.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2015/1120/747939-champions-cup-rescheduling-talks-continue/

Seems unlikely the games will be played this side of Christmas by the looks of things?

20-11-2015 12:54pm

I just don't know where they'll hope to fit them in. It will have to mean mid week games and I can't see them doing it during the 6N considering already-weakened squads.

There's no easy solution at all for this one. Fixture congestion was already a problem before the cancellations.

vienne86 · 20-11-2015 1:33pm

Scarlets

Well they've been chewing over it all week and we still have no white smoke on the re-arranged fixtures. No matter what they do, someone will be unhappy. If we get a blast of bad weather or some sort of disruption in December/January, I could see the whole thing being called off.

CatFromHue · 20-11-2015 1:45pm

Wasps

I don't see what the delay is really.

The fixture list won't look any kinder on Monday.

molloyjh · 20-11-2015 2:06pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

I don't see what the delay is really.

The fixture list won't look any kinder on Monday.

Yeah but it's still a negotiation which, given the situation in the AP, will take time to resolve.

thomond2006 · 20-11-2015 2:18pm

Wasps:
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Christian Wade, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Ben Jacobs, 11. Frank Halai; 10. Ruaridh Jackson, 9. Joe Simpson;
1. Matt Mullan, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Bradley Davies, 6. James Haskell (c), 7. George Smith, 8. Nathan Hughes

16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Lorenzo Cittadini, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Sam Jones, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Sailosi Tagicakibau

Toulon:
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Maxime Mermoz, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Jonathan Pelissie;
1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Anthony Etrillard, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Samu Manoa, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Juan Smith (c), 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Steffon Armitage

16. Bastien Soury, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Theo Belan, 22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23. Konstantine Mikautadze

I know Leinster helped them look good, but it wouldn't surprise me if Wasps beat that Toulon side. Gorgodze and Vermeulen on at 60 minutes though...

Fernandez Lobbe vs George Smith...that is some matchup in the backrow!

Cookiemunster · 20-11-2015 2:19pm

Leinster

molloyjh wrote: »

Yeah but it's still a negotiation which, given the situation in the AP, will take time to resolve.

What I can't understand is why can't they sort out the other 5 games not involving Bath. Two of them are all French ties.

CatFromHue · 20-11-2015 2:32pm

Wasps

molloyjh wrote: »

Yeah but it's still a negotiation which, given the situation in the AP, will take time to resolve.

We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No
We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No
We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No
We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No
We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No
We want to play the game midweek, that ok by you?
No

Borders no.2 · 21-11-2015 2:53pm

Leicester well on their way to another 5 pointer away to Treviso. 3 tries in the bag at half time. They've missed out narrowly on the quarter finals a couple of times in recent years. Looks good for them this time though.

Triumvirate · 21-11-2015 3:21pm

Definite try ruled out by the TMO inexplicably. Matter of time before the 4th try arrives.

Roanmore · 21-11-2015 3:41pm

Throwing a dummy lineout throw inside your own 22:rolleyes:

BP for Leicester.

thomond2006 · 21-11-2015 3:44pm

Borders no.2 · 21-11-2015 3:48pm

Don't see a thread for the Challenge Cup so I'll include it here, Zebre have had a good first half at home to Worcester. 21-3 they lead at half time. Denied Gloucester 4 tries last week, this would be a good victory if they can see it out in the 2nd half.

Fireball07 · 21-11-2015 3:51pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Wasps:
15. Charles Piutau; 14. Christian Wade, 13. Elliot Daly, 12. Ben Jacobs, 11. Frank Halai; 10. Ruaridh Jackson, 9. Joe Simpson;
1. Matt Mullan, 2. Carlo Festuccia, 3. Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4. Joe Launchbury, 5. Bradley Davies, 6. James Haskell (c), 7. George Smith, 8. Nathan Hughes

16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Lorenzo Cittadini, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Sam Jones, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Alex Lozowski, 23. Sailosi Tagicakibau

Toulon:
15. Delon Armitage; 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Maxime Mermoz, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Jonathan Pelissie;
1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Anthony Etrillard, 3. Matt Stevens, 4. Samu Manoa, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Juan Smith (c), 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Steffon Armitage

16. Bastien Soury, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Levan Chilachava, 19. Duane Vermeulen, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Theo Belan, 22. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 23. Konstantine Mikautadze

I know Leinster helped them look good, but it wouldn't surprise me if Wasps beat that Toulon side. Gorgodze and Vermeulen on at 60 minutes though...

Fernandez Lobbe vs George Smith...that is some matchup in the backrow!

Don't know if they have what it takes to take them on up front. Wasps back 3 is top class but Smith/Loobe/Armitage is pretty incomparable as back rows go. With Vermeulen & Gorgodze to come in!

Although Launchbury was a colossus last week, I thought; and Hughes & Smith were excellent too.

Swan Curry · 21-11-2015 6:14pm

Only looked at the Northampton team now, surprised North got away with his stamp last week

vienne86 · 21-11-2015 8:22pm

Scarlets

Ye gods, the Permiership sides have done well this weekend. Mind you, as Will Greenwood has just said, they were back in their clubs sooner than our guys were.

former total · 21-11-2015 8:55pm

Ospreys

Assuming Ospreys lose in Clermont tomorrow, it will be six defeats from six for the Pro12 this weekend, four of them at home.

vienne86 · 21-11-2015 9:08pm

Scarlets

former total wrote: »

Assuming Ospreys lose in Clermont tomorrow, it will be six defeats from six for the Pro12 this weekend, four of them at home.

That is shocking. Well, worrying actually.

Triumvirate · 21-11-2015 9:56pm

Further to that, Leinster are the only side to even pick up a losing bonus point. The Pro12 sides aren't just being beaten, they're being well beaten both at home and on the road.

Scarlets lost by 17 points at home after playing against 14 men for half the game. Given they've been one of the stand out sides in the Pro12 this season, that's pretty scary.

CatFromHue · 21-11-2015 10:01pm

Wasps

It's not really that surprising as Glasgow, Lanelli/Ospreys, and Leinster provided huge numbers of guys to the RWC.

Hagz · 21-11-2015 10:09pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

It's not really that surprising as Glasgow, Lanelli/Ospreys, and Leinster provided huge numbers of guys to the RWC.

Was thinking the same. It's no coincidence.

vienne86 · 21-11-2015 10:09pm

Scarlets

And another good night for a premiership side in Exeter - they've just dotted down their fourth try against Bordeaux. Whitten having a good night for the Chiefs.

pickarooney · 21-11-2015 10:51pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

It's not really that surprising as Glasgow, Lanelli/Ospreys, and Leinster provided huge numbers of guys to the RWC.

I think that excuse will be worn out soon. The Pro12 teams are going backwards at a considerable rate.

Borders no.2 · 21-11-2015 10:53pm

Good win for Grenoble in the Challenge Cup with the last play. Some competitive performances from the French sides this weekend which is good to see for the credibility of the competition.

Excellent win for Zebre. When Zebre is the highlight for the Pro 12 you know its been a bad weekend so far. Don't see it improving tomorrow either.

bilston · 21-11-2015 10:54pm

It may be a one year thing though as the Welsh regions seem to be gettng their act together in terms of getting their top players back and the IRFU have released more cash to the provinces as well. I know Ulster are rumoured to be making some big signings, hopefully Munster and Leinster bring some good players too, although the IRFU blocking Munster from signing Stephen Moore doesn't bode well. Anyway that aside hopefully the gap will close a bit next year.

Borders no.2 · 21-11-2015 10:55pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

It's not really that surprising as Glasgow, Lanelli/Ospreys, and Leinster provided huge numbers of guys to the RWC.

Could be argued for Glasgow, Ospreys and Leinster but not really Scarlets. Ulster weren't hugely disrupted by the World Cup and were hammered at home against a team who had much more disruption where they lose once in a blue moon in the Pro 12. Glasgow's performance is a big blow. Going to be a bleak year for the Pro 12 in the European Cup.

Triumvirate · 21-11-2015 10:57pm

Scarlets were stuffed by Racing who lost at least 10 players to the RWC also. I don't think there's any doubt there's an ongoing slide in the quality in the Pro12 driven mostly by the money available to the other leagues.

vienne86 · 21-11-2015 11:15pm

Scarlets

former total wrote: »

Assuming Ospreys lose in Clermont tomorrow, it will be six defeats from six for the Pro12 this weekend, four of them at home.

....while, so far, all of the Aviva premiership teams have won. Wasps is the only team yet to play.

CatFromHue · 21-11-2015 11:41pm

Wasps

pickarooney wrote: »

I think that excuse will be worn out soon. The Pro12 teams are going backwards at a considerable rate.

I think it's true for this moment in time.

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Could be argued for Glasgow, Ospreys and Leinster but not really Scarlets. Ulster weren't hugely disrupted by the World Cup and were hammered at home against a team who had much more disruption where they lose once in a blue moon in the Pro 12. Glasgow's performance is a big blow. Going to be a bleak year for the Pro 12 in the European Cup.

I think Lanelli lost about 6 or 7 guys to the rwc and then lost Scott Williams completely due to injury.

Yeah I don't think Ulster's problems are to do with the RWC they just don't have a quality pack anymore.

RogerThis · 22-11-2015 12:15am

Not sure what's going on the English teams. They are really on fire this year. Maybe it's the boast with the world cup in their country or did they start their league later than usual?

irishbucsfan · 22-11-2015 12:45am

RogerThis wrote: »

Not sure what's going on the English teams. They are really on fire this year. Maybe it's the boast with the world cup in their country or did they start their league later than usual?

They started the league much later than usual, only got through 4 league games so far. They also got their internationals back first due to, ehm, other results.

Rightwing · 22-11-2015 11:32am

Triumvirate wrote: »

Scarlets were stuffed by Racing who lost at least 10 players to the RWC also. I don't think there's any doubt there's an ongoing slide in the quality in the Pro12 driven mostly by the money available to the other leagues.

Correct. It's a poor league. Probably no team from the PRO 12 would be in the top 6/8 sides now.
.

Pink Fairy · 22-11-2015 11:38am

Rightwing wrote: »

Correct. It's a poor league. Probably no team from the PRO 12 would be in the top 6/8 sides now.
.

Except Munster of course

Rightwing · 22-11-2015 11:41am

Pink Fairy wrote: »

Except Munster of course

Well I'm very rarely wrong, so it would be nice if they could prove otherwise.

irishbucsfan · 22-11-2015 11:49am

Rightwing wrote: »

Well I'm very rarely wrong, so it would be nice if they could prove otherwise.

Do you mean in general life? Because that's certainly not true in your predictions on this forum!

Rightwing · 22-11-2015 11:53am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Do you mean in general life? Because that's certainly not true in your predictions on this forum!

Let's not go off on tangents.

It is simply hard to look beyond a French team again this year. I've been saying that for the last few years, I don't think Toulon will oblige this year though.

Pink Fairy · 22-11-2015 11:57am

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Do you mean in general life? Because that's certainly not true in your predictions on this forum!

I laughed....unfortunately, not good with broken ribs

irishbucsfan · 22-11-2015 12:22pm

Rightwing wrote: »

Let's not go off on tangents.

It is simply hard to look beyond a French team again this year. I've been saying that for the last few years, I don't think Toulon will oblige this year though.

The emergence of the English teams will weaken the French sides' ability to outbid everyone for talent. Now that talent is spread across 2 leagues things should slowly balance out again. The Pro 12 sides just need to produce and retain homegrown players to get back in touch now, the Welsh are finally getting there..

errlloyd · 22-11-2015 12:27pm

Ospreys

The Welsh and the Scottish have always been as useless as a paper condom in Europe. It's unfortunate, though not particularly shocking they have come undone. The Leinster results reflect those of Ulster last year. Simply not being able to play European rugby. Indeed it is Munster we all look to. I hope the boys in red can keep the candle burning. Leicster look beatable.

Rightwing · 22-11-2015 12:31pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The emergence of the English teams will weaken the French sides' ability to outbid everyone for talent. Now that talent is spread across 2 leagues things should slowly balance out again. The Pro 12 sides just need to produce and retain homegrown players to get back in touch now, the Welsh are finally getting there..

Slowly being the operative word. You probably wouldn't even get Evens for another all French final.

Swan Curry · 22-11-2015 2:25pm

Rightwing wrote: »

Well I'm very rarely wrong, so it would be nice if they could prove otherwise.

Dave_The_Sheep · 22-11-2015 3:25pm

What was Nakaitaci at there?

JPNelsforearm · 22-11-2015 3:30pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

What was Nakaitaci at there?

He really is useless, far too many brain farts, anonymous games and defensive lapses.. Weirdly for a fijian he isnt even a physical specimen, how he plays for France with the depth they have is beyond me.

JPNelsforearm · 22-11-2015 3:40pm

Class from Strettle

penybont exile · 22-11-2015 3:40pm

Clancy is a useless referee.

Irish teams very lucky they don't get refereed by this clown .....

Swan Curry · 22-11-2015 3:40pm

penybont exile wrote: »

Clancy is a useless referee.

Irish teams very lucky they don't get refereed by this clown .....

He really is awful

Guy:Incognito · 22-11-2015 3:46pm

Strettle puts his arm across first there, no? The follow up pull back was minimal imo.

2015-16 Champions Cup thread

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