Draw for H Cup / Champions Cup 2019

[D4surfer]

Happy enough with that. I wonder which team they will want in the Aviva.. assume Toulouse?

The one with the biggest travelling support. My guess is Bath.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Famous last words but we should win that comfortably unless we have an injury crisis...and given recent events I'd put a large sum of money on Sexton and Ross Byrne contracting the plague or something.

Bath already have terrible injury problems don't they?

[Blue not red blood]

On first glance you would think that second in our group should have enough points to get to quarters.
Groups 2 4 5 look like all will take points off each other.
A home quarter looks very attainable all things being equal

[paddyor]

Avoided Toulon at least.

[Barry]

assume the media will label Munster's group as the "pool of death" as they've done every other year ?

[Ruckedtobits]

Happy enough with that. I wonder which team they will want in the Aviva.. assume Toulouse?

Almost certainly Bath as they have supporters likely to travel - possibly 5-7k. Nobody else will bring anything near that in the weekend before Christmas. Also BT Sport will want Leinster v an English club for their prime slot that weekend so possibly k.o. @ 5.15 or later.

[paddyor]

Famous last words but we should win that comfortably unless we have an injury crisis...and given recent events I'd put a large sum of money on Sexton and Ross Byrne contracting the plague or something.

Bath already have terrible injury problems don't they?

And the players mostly hate the club owner apparently. Seem like a great bunch of lads tbh.

[Dave Cahill]

Nothing for the Irish clubs to be overly despondent about in either draw - Ulster probably the toughest all things considered, but all four teams can do well

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Famous last words but we should win that comfortably unless we have an injury crisis...and given recent events I'd put a large sum of money on Sexton and Ross Byrne contracting the plague or something.

Bath already have terrible injury problems don't they?

And the players mostly hate the club owner apparently. Seem like a great bunch of lads tbh.

To be fair, we hate our owners too

[Lar]

Famous last words but we should win that comfortably unless we have an injury crisis...and given recent events I'd put a large sum of money on Sexton and Ross Byrne contracting the plague or something.

Bath already have terrible injury problems don't they?

And the players mostly hate the club owner apparently. Seem like a great bunch of lads tbh.

To be fair, we hate our owners too

Well played Sir!

[Ruckedtobits]

Almost every other Club bar Edinburgh and Newcastle will be delighted to see Montpellier & Toulon in the same group.

Castres, & Exeter have both made noises about giving Europe a real go next Season so the order of games will be vital. Munster may be tempted by number of Exeter supporters to choose them as back to back. But they'd be better going for Gloucester and having them first in TP.

[johng]

Wasps as Tier 2 not be favourites for Dec in LR?

[EarthGorilla]

Munster may be tempted by number of Exeter supporters to choose them as back to back. But they'd be better going for Gloucester and having them first in TP.

Is it not done 1st seed vs 2nd seed? And 3rd vs 4? Which would make our back to back Wasps and theirs Gloucester?


When will fixtures be announced?

[Ruckedtobits]

Wasps as Tier 2 not be favourites for Dec in LR?

Probably not John as filthy lucre has been the prime motivator in this decision up to now. Trying to get 52.400 bums on seats a week before Christmas has never proved easy. But This game, and hopefully a Home Q/F determine whether Leinster turn a surplus annually. That's how the minds work when looking at the options.

[footrush]

Booked Coventry and Bath over December just in case !.

[offshorerules]

Tough, tough draw. Hard to see an easy pool though except maybe Munster's.

[Ruckedtobits]

Munster may be tempted by number of Exeter supporters to choose them as back to back. But they'd be better going for Gloucester and having them first in TP.

Is it not done 1st seed vs 2nd seed? And 3rd vs 4? Which would make our back to back Wasps and theirs Gloucester?


When will fixtures be announced?

No. It's totally a matter between Broadcasters and the teams. Teams with the biggest clout or advertising spend have most influence with Broadcasters and as we invariable bring a game to Aviva with 52k capacity in weekend before Christmas, we usually get a fairly free hand from Broadcasters as to who we choose for back-to-back games. The French broadcasters, Bein, tend to target their blockbuster games for Sunday afternoon so they usually do a deal with BT / Sky to support whichever games they want to split on a Sat. e.g.Clermont v Sarries @ 16.15 on Sunday was Bein's big game in the Christmas round last season.

[paddyor]

Tough, tough draw. Hard to see an easy pool though except maybe Munster's.

Saracens?

[paddyor]

Nothing for the Irish clubs to be overly despondent about in either draw - Ulster probably the toughest all things considered, but all four teams can do well

The Connacht group looks the toughest in the Challenge cup. I think the Ulster group will take points off each other with only one qualifier in Racing.

If Munster avoid Castres first up, they've a great chance of winning the group outright and getting a home semi final.

[Lar]

Nothing for the Irish clubs to be overly despondent about in either draw - Ulster probably the toughest all things considered, but all four teams can do well

The Connacht group looks the toughest in the Challenge cup. I think the Ulster group will take points off each other with only one qualifier in Racing.

If Munster avoid Castres first up, they've a great chance of winning the group outright and getting a home semi final.

Are you suggesting the Nigels will give Munster a bye directly into the semis if they win their Group? Somehow I doubt it.