molloyjh wrote:That is a difficult group. Montpellier have recruited well and will have Cotter coaching them next season. They'll be a tougher side than the one we faced this season. Exeter have proven over the last few years to be a tricky side too. Glasgow is probably our only chance at an away win. This group will be a case of teams taking points off each other and will be very interesting as a result. It could have been worse, but it could have been better too. Have we gotten an Italian team once in the last 20 years?
Starting to think getting drawn in Clermonts group might have been easier. That would have meant facing either Leicester or Bath from tier 3. They'd be easier than Montpellier.
Midi Olympique suggesting there are two "Pools of Death", ours and Ospreys. Cotter confirming that view. No suggestions that there are easy groups, even with Treviso included.
French rugby in despair about performance of National team and pressure building on LNR to ensure greater availability for Squad players and less League games for front-line players.
Sud Ouest building that pressure with release about an increase of 80% in Top 14 player injuries in past five Seasons. Detailed medical analysis that tackled players and tacklers are now accumulating most punishment (and injuries) rather that scrum and ruck injuries. Again pressure building for Law changes before it becomes a crisis.
Lots to be concerned about for anybody interested in long-term future of the game as similar trens evident in SH.