Champions Cup 2019/20

Anyone else picking up Poite constantly coughing? Doesn’t look great.

The Saracens vs Racing game is going to be a belter. Saracens don't have a mental edge over Racing who have beaten them already this season. Racing also have a monster pack and some home support.

Saracens are going to find it hard to each that same mental pitch in back to back weeks.

I'd make Saracens fractional favourites for it but it rally could be anyone's game.

connachta wrote: »

Racing will win easily, I'd bet

Nobody is winning that match easily but I do think Racing are in a very strong position.

This weekend was all Saracens were focussed on. They're going to have to forget about it almost instantly and prepare for another massive game against an equally physical opponent. Saracens got the better of the physical exchanges yesterday but there's no way it didn't take a physical toll on them. Some of the collisions were huge and Leinster did dent them in contact at times. It's easy to ignore the fact that Leinster's defence was also exceptionally strong yesterday.

Saracens are going to have to lift themselves mentally from that. It reminds me a little bit of England in the RWC after beating NZ. I don't think Itoje or Daly or George will have any problem getting themselves back up to speed but for guys like Wigglesworth and Barritt, it's going to be much harder. Vincent Koch rarely plays 80 minutes and will be packing down against Ben Arous and Chat next week which is going to be a very different prospect.

awec wrote: »

So there we have it, the worst ever season for the prowhatever in europe.

Keep calm and carry on.

15/16 no sides made quarters.
As disappointing as the weekend is, the fact is Leinster and Ulster both lost to 2 excellent teams. Yes it would be great if more teams from the league were competitive in Europe, but fact is it isn't much difference for other leagues. Saracens have obviously won a few but no one else in England has even mounted a challenge in recent years (maybe Exeter this year but I reckon Toulouse will turn them over next week).
People have raised concerns about the quality of the league and it is true it needs more competitiveness and stronger teams which hopefully the SA sides will bring, but in my opinion the Premiership is no better really. Leinster have showed that they can annihilate nearly every team in that league as well. Ulster, Munster, Scarlets, Glasgow and Edinburgh would all be able to challenge for a semi I reckon

awec wrote: »

Dragons made the semis of the challenge cup.

Surely 2 teams in Champions qf's > one side in challenge cup sf?
Edinburgh/Scarlets winning yesterday would hardly have changed things much.
Anyway, it doesn't matter much.
This of all times cant be read into too much. If Saracens knew they were relegated a few weeks earlier then they prioritise Europe quicker- Leinster thrash Saints yesterday and we are in another semi. No covid break- Leinster and Ulster's form/momentum likely continues and games could have been very different in nature at least if not results.
I'm as disappointed as anyone but truth is both sides will be right up there next season and you couldn't write off Munster being back in knockouts next season. No Saracens for next few years and I only see 2/3 teams competing with Leinster who are still a quality side even if they aren't as flawless as previously perceived. Ulster are still on upward trajectory.

No Bernard Le Roux for Racing? That's a huge loss for them. He's exactly the sort of guy who they'd want on the field against Saracens.

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Racing by 5. Dont think they will give Saracens the headstart Leinster did

Hope you're right, for Connacht's sake

Breezer wrote: »

Anyone using Now TV have an issue with the stream?

All good for me.

Solid start by Racing just by not getting rattled in the opening exchanges. Stuck to their plan, set up their rucks and cleared lines.

Can see the difference a good maul makes. Wigglesworth couldn't get the box kick away when planned and had to wait until the ruck where he had two chasers in his face. Chase from Saracens was far more isolated than last week.