European Rugby Champions Cup

[footrush]

A La Rochelle Leinster SF will be in Bordeaux. Possible double header if Racing 92 and Munster win their QFs.

https://twitter.com/RuaidhriOC/status/9 ... 8749516800

SF 1: if Leinster Rugby v Scarlets - Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
SF 1: if Saracens v Scarlets - Ricoh Arena (Coventry)
SF 1: if La Rochelle v Leinster Rugby - Stade Chaban-Delmas (Bordeaux)
SF 1: if La Rochelle v Saracens - Stade Chaban-Delmas (Bordeaux)

SF 2: if ASM Clermont Auvergne v Munster Rugby - Stade Geoffroy Guichard (Saint-Etienne)
SF 2: if Racing 92 v Munster Rugby - Stade Chaban-Delmas (Bordeaux)
SF 2: if RC Toulon v ASM Clermont Auvergne - Alllianz Riviera Stadium (Nice)
SF 2: if RC Toulon v Racing 92 - Allianz Riviera Stadium (Nice)

In that case COME ON Scarlets! (and Leinster, of course)

You may not agree, but I’d genuinely feel more confident playing La Rochelle away from home than playing Scarlets at the Aviva.

Really feel that La Rochelle in Bordeaux is the most likely outcome, we will see tonight however !.

[nc6000]

Really feel that La Rochelle in Bordeaux is the most likely outcome, we will see tonight however !.

Looking all over in Wales. We've a home semi if we beat Saracens.

[Dave Cahill]

Both a good and a bad result for Leinster. We're at home if we beat Saracens, but it's against Scarlets. La Rochelle away would have been a much easier game.

[Ruckedtobits]

Both a good and a bad result for Leinster. We're at home if we beat Saracens, but it's against Scarlets. La Rochelle away would have been a much easier game.

Possibly, if we were playing that La Rochelle. But with Eaton & Vito and only 100K down the road, I am very happy to play Scarlets at home if we can beat Sarries.

[A16]

Our run in the Champions Cup this season has been ridiculously tough, I think it would be worthwhile to take a look at who we’ve had to, and may have to play.

Group of Death:
Montpellier: French Champions and currently 1st in the Top14.

Glasgow: Currently 1st in the Pro14 (highest amount of points between the 2 conferences)

Exeter: English Premiership champions and currently 1st in the premiership.

Knockout Stages:
Saracens: Back to back European champions, winning in 2016 and 2017, and of course, current holders of the trophy.

Scarlets: Current Pro14 Champions

We couldn’t have got a much harder run than this. It would be remarkable to win the whole thing considering the quality of the teams we’ve beaten so far, and will have to beat in order to do so.

[Dave Cahill]

Both a good and a bad result for Leinster. We're at home if we beat Saracens, but it's against Scarlets. La Rochelle away would have been a much easier game.

Possibly, if we were playing that La Rochelle. But with Eaton & Vito and only 100K down the road, I am very happy to play Scarlets at home if we can beat Sarries.

Meh, no better sound than the sound of a french crowd turning on their own team after 20 minutes

[paddyor]

LAR did themselves no favours with dumb penos, but Jesus the ref really rode them. Not a great game.

Think I agree with Dave, that LAR are pretty dumb. Losing Vito, Eaton and then Botia in the game was huge. Their halves were useless. Mind Sinzelle, is actually a wing.

[tingman]

Both a good and a bad result for Leinster. We're at home if we beat Saracens, but it's against Scarlets. La Rochelle away would have been a much easier game.

Possibly, if we were playing that La Rochelle. But with Eaton & Vito and only 100K down the road, I am very happy to play Scarlets at home if we can beat Sarries.

Not a great game. Scarlets ok but La R blew it with stupid mistakes and poor discipline. Ref gave the French nothing - Beirne lucky to stay on the park.
When we get past Sarries - scarlets at home on this form will be eminently beatable.

[footrush]

Really feel that La Rochelle in Bordeaux is the most likely outcome, we will see tonight however !.

Looking all over in Wales. We've a home semi if we beat Saracens.

Good job I don’t gamble, still would love to visit the bar in Nantes that Xan mentioned !.

[riocard911]

I'm delighted we could be playing Scarlets at home - should we manage to overcome Saracens on Sunday - as we have a serious bone to pick with them. Last May's Pro 12 semi disastrous no-show by our lads should be more than enough motivation for us to absolutely smadder Davis, Shingler, Evans and the rest of them! Bring - it - on!!!

[maps]

That’s a great result for Leinster.
Toulon by far the better side there and managed to throw it away through laziness

[riocard911]

That’s a great result for Leinster.
Toulon by far the better side there and managed to throw it away through laziness

Without a doubt. I'd visions of us managing to overcome Sarries and Scarlets, only to have to face a reinvigorated Toulon in the final. That nightmare scenario can now be consigned to the dustbin. Well done, Munster!!!!

[Oldschool]

Nobody except Ireland will want an all Ireland final.
Three teams from the Pro14 won't be too popular either.
One French team and no English team in the SFs, Leinster's task against Sarries has just got a little tougher.

[footrush]

Nobody except Ireland will want an all Ireland final.
Three teams from the Pro14 won't be too popular either.
One French team and no English team in the SFs, Leinster's task against Sarries has just got a little tougher.

The accommodation owners in the Basque Country would love it €212 at the moment for a bunk in a 6 bed mixed dormitory in Bilbao on the Saturday night !.

[Angelsea Angst]

Well done to Munster and Scarlets for making it to the Semi Finals. Hope Leinster can make it three Pro 14 teams in the semifinals. Maybe all the many critics of the Pro14 will be silenced.

[Peg Leg]

Well done to Munster and Scarlets for making it to the Semi Finals. Hope Leinster can make it three Pro 14 teams in the semifinals. Maybe all the many critics of the Pro14 will be silenced.

The T14 and Premiers will be taking aim at the 6N if the pro14 take up 3/4 slots. Lets not forget that 14% of our league doesn't even play in the Ercccccup that must = advantage us somehow.

[outcast eddie]

So far I am unimpressed at the decision to hold the final in Bilbao from a travel perspective (I know it suits the rugby powerhouses in the South of France). Where next, Marrakesh?

Looks like a mid week ferry to Bilbao and a leisurely drive back up through France.

[footrush]

So far I am unimpressed at the decision to hold the final in Bilbao from a travel perspective (I know it suits the rugby powerhouses in the South of France). Where next, Marrakesh?

Looks like a mid week ferry to Bilbao and a leisurely drive back up through France.

Got Ryanair Barcelona late Friday night Vueling Barcelona Bilbao early sat morning , back Ryanair Santander Dublin Sunday afternoon, should work out ok. Scarlets v Racing worst case scenario now better than Saracens v Toulon not my ideal which was us v ASM !.

[outcast eddie]

Oh sweet baby Jesus nailed to the cross, have yis seen the hotel prices!!!

Looking like 1.2k average for 1 person for 2 nights for the last few remaining rooms in the city on the 11th/12th.

Even a bed in a dormitory for two nights is 400 quid.

[Logorrhea]

Toulon by far the better side there and managed to throw it away through laziness

Result was also heavily influenced by some bizarre refereeing decisions.

If Leinster were on the receiving end of some of those calls we'd be up in arms.