European Championship Rugby Cup 23/24

[Smollet]

Smollet said:

Bath are capable of winning at this rate

Phew. Home draw for us but credit to Bath for taking it to Toulouse

[Kermit power]

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!

[Smollet]

Time for Bordeaux to destroy Quins. Or will they?

[Smollet]

French secret weapon

[Smollet]

I cannot believe what I have just seen. Quins by 1 point.

[mr pg]

Bizarre. We (Sarries) got stuffed twice by Bordeux, who lost to a Quins side, who in turn were stuffed by us only a month ago.

[Leins]

Enjoyed that performance against La Rochelle. I was a little worried with some of our big players out, but the likes of Osbourne and Frawley did well. Great to have seen them off finally in the knock-out stages

[Kermit power]

I know the Bulls travelled with their U12 side, but even so this is quite the hammering!

[XCP]

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.

[Leins]

XCP said:

Shows the stupidity of including South African teams in a European competition.

There was an all SA final of the URC in 2022

[Kermit power]

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.

Not really, although it does highlight the problems with various conflicting tournament schedules trying to come together.

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]

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.

[Hill92]

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.

[the tribester]

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]

Yeah, I can't see that being a great success. I echo what Rob Baxter said the other day about it.

If it's properly organised, then OK. But it'll probably be a 'this is a good idea, let's try it' which won't.

[Kermit power]

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?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Not at all!

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I'm agreeing with you.

[Mr Magooagain]

Jordie Barrett signing for Leinster!
https://www.reuters.com/sports/barrett-signs-new-z...

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Great signing for Leinster. No, fabulous signing for Leinster.

[Mr Magooagain]

Will only improve him I think.
I didn’t know about his Irish connection though. Very interesting.