European Championship Rugby Cup 23/24
Discussion
Smollet said:
Phew. Home draw for us but credit to Bath for taking it to Toulouse
A home draw against Glasgow doesn't seem too bad really.Elsewhere, they might not have been performing in Europe, but having to play current Top14 leaders Racing doesn't seem like much of a reward for Toulouse!
XCP said:
Kermit power said:
I know the Bulls travelled with their U12 side, but even so this is quite the hammering!
Shows the stupidity of including South African teams in a European competition.I used to fly long distance in business class on a regular basis, and an 11 hour overnight flight to/from SA was absolutely fine, whereas the same flight time from the US West coast would leave you buggered for a couple of days.
Personally I think it's really important for the good of the game to have clubs from all T1 (and T2 nations if viable) involved in international competitions. If you take that view, then Europe is the only sensible option for the Saffas.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Agree, but of course we all manage in the Rugby Championship to travel between Argentina and NZ and South Africa and Australia ok. But of course, fewer games and more spread over times.
Exeter only knew last Saturday evening they'd be playing either Toulouse or Racing this Sunday, but had to wait for that game to finish at 5pm last Sunday, to be sure where and who they'd be playing less than week later. In which time they had to secure flights for their whole squad and staff and accomodation. It's crazy.And now they are proposing a World Club Cup, hopefully with a better calendar and planning.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Agree, but of course we all manage in the Rugby Championship to travel between Argentina and NZ and South Africa and Australia ok. But of course, fewer games and more spread over times.
True, but that actually makes the point stronger. It's one thing crossing 10 time zones when you've got a year's notice of the dates and you can spend a week or more there acclimatising and training before the match.Can you imagine a club side trying to do that at a week's notice in a club tournament knockout phase?
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