Draw for H Cup / Champions Cup 2019

[curates_egg]

Toulouse have signed a journeyman second row from Wagga Wagga:
http://www.stadetoulousain.fr/actu/8552 ... e%20Arnold

Not listed in the Heineken squad yet. Was training with the squad this week, but hard to see him playing against Agen tomorrow.
Richie Arnold. Never heard of him myself, but he looks like a mixture between Jonno Gibbes and our own man from Wagga Wagga.

[Ruckedtobits]

Toulouse have signed a journeyman second row from Wagga Wagga:
http://www.stadetoulousain.fr/actu/8552 ... e%20Arnold

Not listed in the Heineken squad yet. Was training with the squad this week, but hard to see him playing against Agen tomorrow.
Richie Arnold. Never heard of him myself, but he looks like a mixture between Jonno Gibbes and our own man from Wagga Wagga.

He's "two-storey Rory's" twin brother and played with Brumbies previously. He's 6'10" and a decent unit.

[neill_m]

Toulouse have signed a journeyman second row from Wagga Wagga:
http://www.stadetoulousain.fr/actu/8552 ... e%20Arnold

Not listed in the Heineken squad yet. Was training with the squad this week, but hard to see him playing against Agen tomorrow.
Richie Arnold. Never heard of him myself, but he looks like a mixture between Jonno Gibbes and our own man from Wagga Wagga.

He's "two-storey Rory's" twin brother and played with Brumbies previously. He's 6'10" and a decent unit.

Maybe not a coincidence as they have signed "two-storey Rory" for next season.

[Ruckedtobits]

Irish rugby has a high success ratio in European Cup weekends and 4/4 has been achieved more than once. However, this weekend we may be going into the fixtures possibly with only two Provinces favoured to advance.

Ulster face the toughest challenge and the Racing 92 Squad looks to have too much firepower and talent up front for the Red Hand, shorn of Henderson in particular. Racing were given a real tough preparation on Saturday by Toulon on their carpet in La Defence. However, barring a downpour and a sodden pitch, it's very difficult to see how Ulster can avoid shipping 20+ points against Les Galacticos.

Connacht also face an in-form team Sale, at home on Saturday. The visitors, who comprehensively out-played Saracens at the weekend, are unlike to be resting their front liners, and Connacht are going to have to play at the top of their game to get a result in this one. They could do it, but it will take a big effort up front and their mid-field to re-produce the form they showed against Leinster and Munster.

Munster travel to Gloucester and will have to listen to The Shed for the evening. The Cherry and Whites have lost a couple in a row since Christmas and without Cipriani look somewhat leaderless. However, Munster will need to produce a big performance up front to come away with a win from the West Country, particularly if Cipriani returns.

The flurry of injury disclosures by Leinster, so early in the week is ominous. When we played Toulouse in October, we missed Kearney and Leavy and had Tomane on the wing and Sean O'Brien off the bench. James Lowe was also in our team with Rory O'Loughlin on the bench. Toulouse started wyith Bezy and Zach Holmes at half-back, which we are unlikely to see on Saturday with Dupont & Ramos now the favoured twosome.

But, for Leinster to start the week with statements and interviews about 50/50 prospects of Toner, Sexton and even the returning Henshaw, is a harbinger of worse to come - or, hopefully, a shoal of 'red herrings' for the French media to follow. As worrying, is the absence of Leavy from a Monday training sesssion, following a weekend when he wasn't on duty.

Leinster will probably need our full complement facing this Toulouse side. Fully equipped, we can control possession and take them on up front. Without those assets, the contest will be much more fraught and the French second-row, who made a big impact in the first game, could supply sufficient ball to give their electric backline enough ball to cause a shock.

Four tough games and nothing certain in any of them

[Oldschool]

Irish rugby has a high success ratio in European Cup weekends and 4/4 has been achieved more than once. However, this weekend we may be going into the fixtures possibly with only two Provinces favoured to advance.

Ulster face the toughest challenge and the Racing 92 Squad looks to have too much firepower and talent up front for the Red Hand, shorn of Henderson in particular. Racing were given a real tough preparation on Saturday by Toulon on their carpet in La Defence. However, barring a downpour and a sodden pitch, it's very difficult to see how Ulster can avoid shipping 20+ points against Les Galacticos.

Connacht also face an in-form team Sale, at home on Saturday. The visitors, who comprehensively out-played Saracens at the weekend, are unlike to be resting their front liners, and Connacht are going to have to play at the top of their game to get a result in this one. They could do it, but it will take a big effort up front and their mid-field to re-produce the form they showed against Leinster and Munster.

Munster travel to Gloucester and will have to listen to The Shed for the evening. The Cherry and Whites have lost a couple in a row since Christmas and without Cipriani look somewhat leaderless. However, Munster will need to produce a big performance up front to come away with a win from the West Country, particularly if Cipriani returns.

The flurry of injury disclosures by Leinster, so early in the week is ominous. When we played Toulouse in October, we missed Kearney and Leavy and had Tomane on the wing and Sean O'Brien off the bench. James Lowe was also in our team with Rory O'Loughlin on the bench. Toulouse started wyith Bezy and Zach Holmes at half-back, which we are unlikely to see on Saturday with Dupont & Ramos now the favoured twosome.

But, for Leinster to start the week with statements and interviews about 50/50 prospects of Toner, Sexton and even the returning Henshaw, is a harbinger of worse to come - or, hopefully, a shoal of 'red herrings' for the French media to follow. As worrying, is the absence of Leavy from a Monday training sesssion, following a weekend when he wasn't on duty.

Leinster will probably need our full complement facing this Toulouse side. Fully equipped, we can control possession and take them on up front. Without those assets, the contest will be much more fraught and the French second-row, who made a big impact in the first game, could supply sufficient ball to give their electric backline enough ball to cause a shock.

Four tough games and nothing certain in any of them

Sale outplaying Saracens is unlikely ergo it's likely Saracens rested a few players particularly so given their league position.
Connacht have been much more consistent in the last few weeks than hithertofor.
Ergo Connacht to win but can they get a TBP or prevent Sale getting a LBP is the real question.
Ulster is a tough one.
I'd give them a 50/50 chance. Kingspan Stadium has proven a tough place to win (for away teams) especially in Europe in winter.
Munster's game is also a tough one to call.
All four teams in this group have a chance of winning the group. The pressure is on Munster in particular.
This one could, unusual in rugby, end in a draw.
Leaving the final day in the group being a real nail biter.
Leinster.
No point in making a call on this one until we have the facts regarding selection.

[desperado]

I watched the Sale Saracens match. Far from it; Sarries were pretty much full strength (Barritt, Itoje apart - injured?). Sale were good.

[paddyor]

I watched the Sale Saracens match. Far from it; Sarries were pretty much full strength (Barritt, Itoje apart - injured?). Sale were good.

Yeah, basically full strength(even had billy v back), but really indisplined. 2 yellow cards and few dumb penos. Scrum was under pressure too.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

I watched the Sale Saracens match. Far from it; Sarries were pretty much full strength (Barritt, Itoje apart - injured?). Sale were good.

same here. sale were good and fully deserved it. sarries went through a similar form dip (and injury hit) last year, when they lost heavily to clermont and only squeaked through to the quarters because ulster didn't beat wasps in belfast.
there is a chance they might slip up this weekend against lyon...unlikely but possible. lyon are well and truly out...4 losses out of 4.

[neill_m]

I watched the Sale Saracens match. Far from it; Sarries were pretty much full strength (Barritt, Itoje apart - injured?). Sale were good.

same here. sale were good and fully deserved it. sarries went through a similar form dip (and injury hit) last year, when they lost heavily to clermont and only squeaked through to the quarters because ulster didn't beat wasps in belfast.
there is a chance they might slip up this weekend against lyon...unlikely but possible. lyon are well and truly out...4 losses out of 4.

They sneaked through last year as Ulster lost to Wasps in Coventry in Round 6.

[tomthefan]

Away QF guaranteed for the winner of Munster's pool, whoever that is, all four teams still have a shout, though we must be favourites.

[Ruckedtobits]

Sarries & Racing looking likely for No 1 and 2 qualifiers. Leinster possible 3rd with Edinburgh possibly 4th and Munster 5th, Toulouse possibly 6th, Glasgow 7th and Montpelier 8th. Ulster could go through with an away win next week in Leicester but Glasgow are at home in their last game.

On this basis, we could face Toulouse again at home in q/f. It could well come down to BPs or points difference for 6th, 7th & 8th places.

[neill_m]

Huge game in Edinburgh’s pool on Friday with Montpellier travelling to Scotland. Ulster will want a home win to make the QF. Munster an away win to get a home QF

[cormac]

Sarries & Racing looking likely for No 1 and 2 qualifiers. Leinster possible 3rd with Edinburgh possibly 4th and Munster 5th, Toulouse possibly 6th, Glasgow 7th and Montpelier 8th. Ulster could go through with an away win next week in Leicester but Glasgow are at home in their last game.

On this basis, we could face Toulouse again at home in q/f. It could well come down to BPs or points difference for 6th, 7th & 8th places.

Glasgow are away to Saracens in their last game.

[matt]

If Leinster get bonus point v wasps and we finish on 25pts and 98 pts plus next weeks points difference. Worst case scenario would be no 3 seed behind saracens and racing unless saracens lose to Lyon or Glasgow, or Racing fail to get a bonus point home to Scarlets. Home QF likely against Toulouse, Ulster, Glasgow or Edinburgh if they lose next Friday night.

[Oldschool]

1 Saracens
2 Racing
3 Leinster
4 Edinburgh
5 Munster
6 Toulouse
7 Ulster
8 Glasgow

Above based on the predictions that Edinburgh will beat Montpellier and that Ulster will do enough at Leicester to qualify.
So
Saracens v Glasgow.
Racing v Ulster
Leinster v Toulouse
Edinburgh v Munster
Home wins very probably except for the last pairing.

[kermischocolate]

Sarries & Racing looking likely for No 1 and 2 qualifiers. Leinster possible 3rd with Edinburgh possibly 4th and Munster 5th, Toulouse possibly 6th, Glasgow 7th and Montpelier 8th. Ulster could go through with an away win next week in Leicester but Glasgow are at home in their last game.

On this basis, we could face Toulouse again at home in q/f. It could well come down to BPs or points difference for 6th, 7th & 8th places.

Glasgow are away to Saracens in their last game.

And currently playing shite having lost 3 games in a row. Winning v Cardiff tomorrow is by no means a given never mind next week.

[Oldschool]

Sarries & Racing looking likely for No 1 and 2 qualifiers. Leinster possible 3rd with Edinburgh possibly 4th and Munster 5th, Toulouse possibly 6th, Glasgow 7th and Montpelier 8th. Ulster could go through with an away win next week in Leicester but Glasgow are at home in their last game.

On this basis, we could face Toulouse again at home in q/f. It could well come down to BPs or points difference for 6th, 7th & 8th places.

Glasgow are away to Saracens in their last game.

And currently playing shite having lost 3 games in a row. Winning v Cardiff tomorrow is by no means a given never mind next week.

Glasgow might well need BP win tomorrow.
That game next Friday between Edinburgh v Montpellier could throw up a complicating result leaving other teams needing one or two BPs or a draw to qualify.

[matt]

If Ulster beat Leicester away next Saturday with a bonus point they will have 23 pts and second in their group to Racing and chances are it will be Leinster v Ulster QF in the Aviva.

Leicester are really poor and lost by 23 pts to Scarlets today. Loser of Edinburgh v Montpelier won’t have enough pts to overtake 23 pts. I can see a Stockdale hat trick.

[locho]

1 Saracens
2 Racing
3 Leinster
4 Edinburgh
5 Munster
6 Toulouse
7 Ulster
8 Glasgow

Above based on the predictions that Edinburgh will beat Montpellier and that Ulster will do enough at Leicester to qualify.
So
Saracens v Glasgow.
Racing v Ulster
Leinster v Toulouse
Edinburgh v Munster
Home wins very probably except for the last pairing.

It’s pretty cr@p if it ends up that 3 of the 4 quarter finals are just repeats of pool games!

[artaneboy]

1 Saracens
2 Racing
3 Leinster
4 Edinburgh
5 Munster
6 Toulouse
7 Ulster
8 Glasgow

Above based on the predictions that Edinburgh will beat Montpellier and that Ulster will do enough at Leicester to qualify.
So
Saracens v Glasgow.
Racing v Ulster
Leinster v Toulouse
Edinburgh v Munster
Home wins very probably except for the last pairing.

It’s pretty cr@p if it ends up that 3 of the 4 quarter finals are just repeats of pool games!

Yes, well this is the brave new world we have with the EPRC. It’s the gift that just keeps giving.


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